Archive for February 17th, 2009

Mobiles to have same charging socket by 2012

Key mobile phone industry players have agreed to fit phones with the same power socket by 2012, industry group GSMA said on Tuesday. It said handsets would have a micro USB interface, already used to transfer pictures from digital cameras to a computer. The initial group of companies that have signed for the change include Nokia, LG, Motorola, Samsung and Sony Ericsson. Operators such as AT&T, Orange, Telefonica, T-Mobile and Vodafone are also part of the initiative.

The GSMA said that eventually it expected mobile phones to ship without a charging plug and cable because everybody would have one. This should also lead to less waste and could yield energy savings because the agreement calls for chargers to meet efficiency targets, the group said.

Now can we please have a 3.5mm headset jack as standard too please, its been around for a while it can’t be that hard to do!

via Yahoo

Gigabyte announce MS820 and S1200

Gigabyte have announced two new Windows Mobile devices at MWC, both running Windows Mobile 6.1 however the S1200 does show that it will be compatible with Windows Mobile 6.5 so we assume that an upgrade will be made available for free in the future and the update must also come with a stick on Windows button as there is not one there and Microsoft insist that all 6.5 devices have to have one. The MS820 is a VGA device with HSDPA, 5MP camera with face recognition, GPS and WiFI and the S1200 is WVGA device with HSUPA, 3.0 MP camera and a special feature of an Adobe Flash UI. What is that you might ask, well Engadget got some hands on time with it and we have the video after the break.

Vodafone and HTC unveil Android-powered HTC Magic

BARCELONA — Feb 17, 2009 — Vodafone and HTC Corporation today announced the HTC Magic smartphone, Vodafone’s first Android-powered mobile, which will be available in the spring.

The stylish new handset is exclusive to Vodafone in the UK, Spain, Germany and France (SFR) and available on a non-exclusive basis in Italy. Customers can ensure that they are the first to receive information about the HTC Magic’s availability, pricing and pre-ordering by registering their interest via their local Vodafone website from today.

The introduction of the HTC Magic is the result of a successful relationship between Vodafone and HTC, and Vodafone’s joining, late last year, of the Open Handset Alliance. Launch video now added after the break.

Introducing Windows Marketplace for Mobile

After yesterdays announcements by Steve Ballmer at Mobile World Congress, John Bruno who is a programmer on the Windows Marketplace team has put together a more in depth description of how it all works and what it can offer for users and of course developers. Beyond providing consumers with the ability to browse and download applications from their Windows Mobile 6.5 phone, this new service will offer developers, the opportunity to connect directly with those millions of Windows Mobile users, to publish and distribute applications. Sound like a win-win opportunity? Let’s take a closer look.

Acer announces Tempo series Smartphones

Last night, at a press conference held at MWC in Barcelona, Acer launched their new ‘Tempo’ range of devices.

Acer recently acquired Eten/Glofiish so the Tempo range will be the first handsets to be Acer branded since the takeover. The four new devices, Acer X960, Acer F900, Acer M900 and Acer DX900 still seem to carry the Glofiish design influence though.

Acer, the third largest vendor in the global PC market (source: Gartner data, 1H 2008) is introducing a new line of smartphones with a broad range of features and innovations. These first devices are mainly targeted at consumers who want to make use of excellent technology both for their personal and their professional needs.

ACER M900
For all your communications on the go.
For those who need to have access to email and files at all times, the M900 is an ideal smart handheld device. It allows you to keep track of your activities and access your contacts and files through synchronization with your notebook or desktop computer. With a full keyboard, it is ideal for emailing and editing documents. Preinstalled with Windows® Mobile 6.1 Professional, Outlook® Mobile email and Office Mobile (Word, Excel and Powerpoint) users will maintain efficiency on the go. HSDPA connectivity enables fast data transfer and the large 3.8-inch WVGA touchscreen dramatically improves your web browsing experience. An embedded fingerprint sensor secures the smartphone and simplifies password maintenance.

The M900 comes equipped with GPS, FM Radio, voice recorder and voice-command, as well as expandable memory, and a 5-megapixel autofocus camera with flash.

High tech and reliable, the M900 provides security and convenience for the effective management of your business communications on the go.

ACER F900
Slim and Smart Internet
The F900 was developed to give total control over web browsing on the go. With a 3.8-inch WVGA touch screen and new easy-to-use touch keyboard, the F900 is able to display more information on screen while offering an excellent mobile browsing experience. The new user-interface makes navigating through the device a pleasure, providing quick links to contacts, email messages, bookmarks, calendars, date and time, world weather and music. The F900 comes also with an integrated 3.2-megapixel auto-focus camera with flash, GPS, FM Radio, voice recorder, voice command, and expandable memory.

With direct access to key applications via the widget-based home screen, The F900 features easy one-hand navigation with the new Internet Explorer® 6 supporting JavaScript and Adobe Flash Lite, providing access to various webmail clients and a suite of must-have internet applications. With high-speed 3.75G HSDPA/HSUPA and WiFi connectivity, users will enjoy excellent data connections.

The F900 is the perfect solution for stylish Internet connectivity anywhere.

ACER X960
Versatile and functional navigation.
The X960 is an all-purpose tool designed for those who want multiple features without having to carry several devices. A high-resolution 2.8-inch VGA touchscreen and five-way navigation button allow easy maneuvering. The intuitive widget-based user interface provides quick access to all your contacts, emails and messages, browser and bookmarks, calendar and events, date and time, world weather and music player. Windows Outlook and Office mobile allow for quick email access and easy reading of attachments.

The embedded GPS functionality provides reliable positioning and easy navigation with software available through retailers. The X960 comes with a VGA 3.2 megapixel autofocus camera with flash as well as a front-side camera for video calls and a classy black and silver design.

Sleek and compact, the X960 is ideal for quick access to all your navigation needs.

ACER DX900
Double connectivity and convenience.
The DX900 is the world’s first Dual-SIM Smartphone to support both 3.5G (HSDPA) and 2.75G (EDGE) SIM cards allowing you to keep track of both personal and business communications. The touch screen allows effortless one-hand navigation while the ultra-sharp 2.8 inch VGA display improves the web browsing experience. The DX900 has a new interface designed for easy navigation with large finger-friendly buttons for a smooth browsing experience. It also features 3D animated icons and transition effects with all your most important information displayed on one screen. The speed dial panel features photo contacts for most frequently used numbers

With Outlook Mobile email client you can access your business email and easily read attachments. For easy management of two phone lines and multiple wireless connections, the DX900 is equipped with an intuitive communication manager including a Flight Mode button to instantly turn off all wireless connections while each individual function can also be activated or disabled with the press of a button. The DX900 features a front-side VGA camera for video calls, voice recorder, voice-command, 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera with flash and expandable memory.
Combining 2 phones in one, the DX900 is dually perfect for your professional and personal life.

Obviously I’ll be trying to get my grubby paws on these handsets for review when they become available.

Posted by: Matt

Windows Mobile ends the tyranny of arranged Marriages

We don’t post many ads on the site, but this one is just incredible. Like a lot of you out there, people often tell me that mobile data plans are a waste of money, and no matter how many useful scenarios I describe they just won’t listen. But what if wireless data could save you from an arranged and loveless marriage? Would that be worth the cost of a data plan? I certainly think so. The amazing thing about this video is that even though all of this is technically possible, India has no 3G networks, making the events in the ad impractical. See for yourself after the break.