Phones

SPB Online launched for network operators

Spb has just announced the availability of Spb Online for Windows Mobile Standard and Professional devices. Its launch is for the mobile networks to implement into their operating systems so when they release a Windows Mobile device they can integrate the features of SPB Online which contains access to Mobile TV, Online Radio, News, Weather, Online Games and an On- Device Catalogue, it should be launched for everyone later in the year. Full press release after the break.

EU to propose caps on costs of sms and mobile internet

EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding has proposed capping the price of sending a mobile text message from one EU state to another to 11 eurocents (9 pence), EU sources said on Wednesday. Reding’s long-awaited proposal is now circulating among all the other EU Commissioners before they formally adopt it later this month or early October. The EU’s 27 member states and the European Parliament must also approve the change.

Xperia X1 Marketing Video

Just stumbled upon this video and it looks like a Sony Ericsson marketing video hot off the press to promote the Xperia X1 on release, it makes interesting watching however you must remember that the iPhone 3G worked super fast on their marketing videos too and that hasn’t quite lived up to the hype. Anyway the highlights are the touch focus camera, the tile interface and the beautiful screen and resolution. Looks like we are nearing release time and my money is starting to twitch in my pocket. Video after the break, enjoy.

Apple being sued again. For selling too many?

Apple/AT&T customer William Gillis was unhappy with the performance of his iPhone 3G. So he filed a lawsuit. But what’s unique in this case is that the lawsuit isn’t complaining just that the iPhone 3G is underperforming, but that the iPhone 3G is underperforming because it’s been consciously oversold in a plot by AT&T and Apple.

Hands on with the HTC S740

Clove Technology who regularly supply us with review devices, just shot us an email letting us know that they have got their hands on the HTC S740 and have posted a video overview for us to take a look at. Their initial impressions of the device are that it is a great looking device, feels solid and tests show a strong performance. You can watch the video after the break along with a folder containing some nice pictures of the phone.

Nokia N96 available now

Nokia today announced the availability of the much anticipated Nokia N96, its flagship multimedia computer in the iconic Nokia Nseries range. It boasts live TV, 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, turn-by-turn voice navigation, 16GB of internal memory that can be increased to 24GB with an optional microSD card, superior sound and music, N-Gage gaming and a stunning 2.8" display. First shipments of the Nokia N96 have started and it will be available with an estimated retail price of EUR 550. Full release after the break.

Xperia X1 panel interface SDK released

Well this is kind of interesting, Sony Ericsson have just released the SDK to enable developers and content creators to develop mobile content for the phone. Whether it is music, photography, email or instant messaging, gaming, social networking or video applications, developers can now create a host of unique multi-media entertainment and content for the Xperia X1 for consumers to enjoy. This is good news and points at least to the fact that the X1 is definitely on its way. The full statement and a link to the video is after the break.

Palm Treo Pro UK launch event

Unfortunately due to other commitments we had to miss the Palm Treo Pro launch event in London today but luckily the guys over at wmpoweruser managed to get the info even though there wasn’t much that we did not already know. The highlights are after the break.

Nokia’s Comes with Music service launches next month – UK first

Nokia’s "free," all-you-can-eat, music subscription service is set to world premier in the UK next month before hitting continental Europe and Asia in 2009. Nokia already has Universal Music, Sony BMG and Warner Music on board and plans to have EMI signed before launch. In total, Nokia expects to offer some 2.1 million tracks at launch. While touted as free, the service costs will be baked into the price of Nokia’s pre-pay 5310 XpressMusic Comes With Music Edition handset (currently priced between £70-£80 for the pay-as-you-go, non-CwM handset) when purchased though the UK’s Carphone Warehouse. You must then purchase another CwM-compatible device at the end of the year in order to continue downloading tracks. For those not wishing to re-up with Nokia, your 5310 CwM edition phone will continue to make / receive calls and text messages and, like your computer, continue to playback all those DRM-wrapped WMA tracks they will not play anywhere else. While the approach is interesting, the DRM-enabled time-bomb and device lock-in makes the entire model sound fatally flawed to us.

Nokia Comes With Music

Expect the service to launch at, or shortly after, a Nokia Comes With Music press event scheduled for October 2nd.

Posted by: John

Microsoft to follow in the steps of Google and Apple?

Looking at a recent job post found on Computerjob.com it is suggested that Microsoft will be following hot on the heals of the recently launched $30 million Apple iPhone app store and the future release of Google’s Android App Store, with their own app store named "Skymarket". The job post indicates that the  Skymarket senior product manager will head a team that will "drive the launch of a v1 marketplace service for Windows Mobile".

This announcement could only be considered as fantastic news for the end customer as each of the major device manufacturers now go out on a limb to better each other, desperate to provide the best content and hardware to rival the massive iPhone market.

With the Apple store already launched and the HTC Dream coming soon (which should signal the Android App Store launch), the question on everyone’s lips though should be, "is this too little to late?" as the expected launch of this new app store is sometime in 2009 with the launch of WM7.

It should be an interesting few months ahead as the battle heats up and the consumers are really given a chance to see what their hard earned cash is going towards.

Posted by: John