Cellular Industry News and Reviews
Cellular Industry News
cellular-news
Updated throughout the day
Texas Court Grants RIM Stay Request in Visto Patent Case
[CN+] A Texas federal court has granted Research In Motion's request for a stay in a patent-infringement case filed by Visto Corp. against RIM.
UPDATE:Reliance Industries Offers Olive Branch to MTN, R-Com
[CN+] Reliance Industries Ltd., or RIL, late Thursday offered to talk to Indian telecommunications firm Reliance Communications Ltd., or R-Com, and South African telecom major MTN Group, before getting into an arbitration process.
Sistema to Use Alcatel-Lucent, ZTE, Huawei Hardware in India
Russian conglomerate AFK Sitema said Thursday it would use equipment supplied by Alcatel-Lucent and Chinese pair Huawei Technologies Co. and ZTE Corp. to build its cellular network in India.
Ex-tech exec gets new judge in extradition case
A Namibian prosecutor says a new judge will be appointed to hear the extradition case of businessman Jacob "Kobi" Alexander.
MetroPCS Subscriber Growth Slows Markedly in 2Q
MetroPCS Communications saw a 19% increase in net subscriber additions in the second quarter, but the growth failed to meet Wall Street's lofty expectations.
Cellular News - Mobile
Spore Creature Creator demo leaked
by Charles D.
15 Jun 2008 at 10:20am
With Electronic Arts' Spore (PC, Nintendo Wii, DS, Mac, and Mobile) still several months away, gamers who are on the edge of their seats waiting for the title will have to content themselves with the free trial version of the game's Creature Creator, set to be released this June 17.
This standalone program allows players to create their own life-forms using various sets of creature parts and building options as seen in the actual game. The trial version of the Spore Creature Creator will feature only one-fourth of the actual tools and library of creature parts, which will come out with the full version of the program this June 17 at US 9.99.
However, we recently received word that the trial version of the in-game creature generator was leaked before its appointed release date. Reports from previous users who have already download the file confirmed it to be the real deal.
We were able to snag the hefty 191MB file and hosted it on the QJ.NET download site. If you're interested in checking out what kind of creatures you can spawn from the depths of your imagination, go ahead and download it through the link we've provided below.
Download: Spore Creature Creator Free Trial Edition
Glad you waited? Apple confirms iPhone 3G; 8GB costs US 199
by Victor B.
9 Jun 2008 at 2:03pm
Zounds! It seems Apple has picked today to be a big day for iPhone news. Apple has finally announced the release of iPhone 3G, and it looks to be a big upgrade over the previous iterations of the iPhone.
Steve Jobs' keynote speech was inundated with applause from the crowd as he made the announcement. Notes Jobs,
We've learned so much with the first iPhone. We've taken everything we've learned and more and created the iPhone 3G. It's beautiful. This is what it looks like. Black back! Thinner at the edges. Full plastic back, it's really nice.
The keynote is currently ongoing, so expect a fuller update later in the day. For now, here's what you can expect from iPhone 3G:
Solid metal buttonsFlush headphone jack3.5 inch displayCameraImproved audioImproved battery life Faster data downloads via 3GLaunch in 70 countriesUS 199 price tag for the 8 GB model, US 299 for the 16 GB modelTo be out on July 11
Computex 08: Intel, StreamMyGame demos PC games on mobile phones
by Ceasar S.
3 Jun 2008 at 11:14pm
The Technology show Computex 2008 in Taiwan has become Intel's playground for demonstrating the latest build of StreamMyGame software on Intel-powered machines. And from tech demos shown to audiences, they were able to prove how a mobile phone with a fast connection to the Internet and a keyboard add-on can play PC games without a hitch in gameplay.
Audio and video was said to be sent in real-time to the mobile phone's miniature display and speakers, while the input from the cell phone was returned to the Intel PC to control the player in the game.
Reports say that there was no compromise in gameplay, whatsoever. The cellular phone was connected to a WiMAX wireless broadband Internet network (previously approved as a world standard), and broadband speeds appear to be the key to StreamMyGame's feats.
The games featured weren't specified, but as we understand it, Intel foresees a time that high-specification games such as Crytek's Crysis will soon be played on your back pocket smart phone.
StreamMyGame's technology has been around for some time now, but it has continued to wow audiences by allowing PlayStation 3, UMPC, and Linux rig owners to run PC-exclusive Windows applications via streaming. It's membership is currently 20,000-strong.
"We are entering a new mobile age where everything from video, audio, software applications and games can be accessed and played on the move," said StreamMyGame CEO Richard Faria. We'll have more updates as we get them.
Sony Ericsson to develop motion-sensing mobile games with GestureTek?
by Sally B.
2 Jun 2008 at 10:31pm
Will we get more motion-sensing love for the mobile phones? While the concept of motion control isn't really that new for Sony Ericsson handsets - the W380a model with it's gesture control comes to mind - word is out that the mobile phone manufacturer is planning to focus on using that very same technology in mobile gaming.
According to a report from gadget news site Pocket-lint, Sony Ericsson has recently struck a deal with GestureTek in order to implement the latter's motion-sensing technology into games for Sony Ericsson phones. The very same technology is currently being used for the Sony PlayStation's EyeToy peripheral.
There wouldn't be much difference between motion sensing tech currently used in the EyeToy and the one that's being made for mobile gaming, if Pocket-lint's report is accurate concerning Sony Ericsson's plans to use of the mobile's on-board camera to sense movement. This brings to mind the Katamari Damacy game for mobiles. Motion-sensing rolling fun? We're sold.
We haven't received any confirmation about this news yet, so we'll tag this as a rumor for now.
N-Gage subcribers angered by DRM, Nokia takes action
by Sally B.
24 May 2008 at 10:20pm
Gadget-philes and generally all software consumers bristle whenever they hear this magic code: DRM. Subscribers to Nokia's newly-launched N-Gage gaming service is of no exception, currently doomed with games that are locked to their mobile phones and would not be transferable to their new handsets, should they decide to upgrade.
Needless to say, the idea of having to buy their games again after getting a new phone made several Nokia users angry. One of the posters in All About N-Gage spilled the beans on the rather rigid DRM on N-Gage games, and the article managed to catch the attention of Nokia itself.
Nokia somehow understood their concerns, and posted the following official statement, part of which reads:
We have noticed a number of media stories about N-Gage game transfers and wanted to clarify the issue. Due to copy protection, N-Gage games, like most mobile games, are linked to one device. As the value of content increases, a robust copy protection mechanism is essential as it makes it possible for the games industry to invest in N-Gage content.
We acknowledge our customers' concerns and have been working on a solution that would allow people to transfer purchased N-Gage games to a new Nokia device. We are working with our Nokia Care Centers with an intermediate solution to enable the licensed transfers of games until a final solution is ready to be deployed.
All's well that ends well, then. We hope that other software outfits who use rather inflexible DRM policies would eventually follow suit.
Mobile Gadgets
Crave: The gadget blog
- Category:
...
Crave: gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff.
Nokia turns hearing aids into Bluetooth headsets
by
Mike Yamamoto
3 Jul 2008 at 4:49pm
(Credit: Nokia)
Headset makers probably aren't hurting for business these days, at least in California and Washington state. But even without the new laws, Nokia may have found another market.
Its "Wireless Loopset" is a device designed to hang around the neck that basically turns a t-coil-equipped hearing aid ...
Motorola ZN5 clears FCC
by Kent German
3 Jul 2008 at 2:00pm
We've told you already about the Motorola ZN5, but today we learned that it has been cleared by the FCC. Only the most passionate cell phone geeks know that the Federal Communications Commission holds a treasure trove of information on upcoming handsets. Because the FCC has to certify every ...
Google Talk comes to the iPhone, iPod Touch
by Marguerite Reardon
3 Jul 2008 at 10:24am
Google is making its Google Talk instant-messaging application available for Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch.
One of Google's software engineers posted the news in a blog on Wednesday.
(Credit: Google)"In addition to sending your friends Gmail messages from your iPhone, you can now chat with them while ...
Phone projectors get another step closer
by Juniper Foo
3 Jul 2008 at 10:06am
(Credit: Crave Asia)
Korea Electronics Technology Institute is developing a 4-ounce device that can basically throw pictures off your mobile device to a 60-inch full-color SVGA image more than 6 feet away. KETI's "Eye Glass Display" can receive picture input signals like S-video, composite, component, and analog RGB, and ...
Motorola W755 reviewed
by Kent German
2 Jul 2008 at 5:09pm
loadUniversalPlayer({playerTitle: '',lumiereQueryType: 'id',lumiereQueryValue: '6886828',useCurrentPageUrl: true,relatedVideo: false,preRollAd: true,wrapperFloat:'right'});
The Motorola W755 finally has landed in our hands. I have to apologize for taking so long to review this phone--I know a lot of you were asking for it--but Motorola and Verizon Wireless took their ...
Cell Phone Reviews
CNET Reviews - Most Recent Cell Phones and Accessories
CNET Cell Phones and Accessories Reviews are the most comprehensive resource for unbiased personal technology advice.
LG Decoy (Verizon Wireless)
18 Jun 2008 at 4:44am
The LG Decoy is an excellent phone on its own, but the addition of a built-in Bluetooth headset puts it over the top.
Sanyo Pro-200 (Sprint)
6 Jun 2008 at 2:14pm
The Sanyo Pro-200 is a great solution for Sprint customers who want to use the Nextel Direct Connect push-to-talk service.
HTC Touch Diamond
27 Jun 2008 at 2:01pm
The HTC Touch Diamond offers much in the way of sex appeal and flash, and it's certainly got a formidable feature set. However, we hope HTC resolves some of the performance issues we experienced before the smartphone is released in the States.
Motorola W755 - purple (Verizon Wireless)
2 Jul 2008 at 4:02am
The Motorola W755's design looks way too familiar, but its solid feature set, ergonomic controls, and enjoyable call and video quality make it a reliable Verizon Wireless handset.
LG Dare (Verizon Wireless)
27 Jun 2008 at 6:38am
The LG Dare is an innovative and feature-rich handset with several surprises that sets it apart from other touch-screen phones.
Cellular Service Providers
Cellular Service Providers - MobileDaily Downtime launches in the UK, makes people more productive
by Sally B.
15 Feb 2008 at 11:31pm
If you're already part of the workforce, then you may be familiar with the term "downtime". It's those random moments when we're just not productive during work, wasting precious time. But there's hope, now that mobile application Daily Downtime is finally launched in the UK.
Aiming to maximize the time spent on idle hours - while commuting to and from work, for instance - Daily Downtime provides intellectual stimulation and entertainment in the form of puzzles, interactive polls, as well as trivia, jokes, and quotes of the day. Daily Downtime also included non-intrusive advertising content, giving business a chance to show off their wares in a high visibility medium.
The mobile application is currently in its beta testing stage and can be downloaded through the Via link below. If you live in the UK, then you may want to make your own idle time productive with Daily Downtime. Enjoy!
Make VoIP calls on iPhone and iPod Touch through Jajah
by Sally B.
9 Dec 2007 at 2:58pm
Want to get more affordable options in calling people overseas? Jajah, a VoIP service provider, just rolled out a useful application that can be used on Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch - yes, you read it right, iPod Touch - in order to make calls internationally.
Here's how the Jajah web application works: you just access Jajah's web address through iPhone and iPod Touch's Safari browser, enter your phone number and the phone number of the person you want to call. Jajah will then call you back, and will connect you to the other party.
Pretty useful? Quite, and helps you avoid going broke with all those international calls.
Sony Ericsson's PlayNow arena service enters the mobile games race
by Charles D.
8 Nov 2007 at 1:39am
If you can't get enough of playing games on your mobile like Nokia's patented N-Gage mobile phone, then Sony Ericsson is about to offer you something new to quench that gaming itch of yours. In a recent announcement from the mobile service provider, Sony Ericsson has announced that it will be upgrading its existing PlayNow service to cater a wide selection of mobile entertainment downloads to its subscribers worldwide.
Since its inception in 2004, PlayNow has offered customers the chance to download polyphonic ringtones to jazz up their mobiles, as well as other nifty applications through its Fun & Downloads section. Sony Ericsson, however, is aiming to expand its range by allowing subscribers more access to games, full music tracks, themes, and wallpapers by the second quarter of 2008.
Sony Ericsson is planning to include hundreds of games from leading publishers, themes and wallpapers, as well as thousand of mastertones from big time independent labels. The service will coincide with the TrackID service which provides easy access to downloads through the local mobile subscribers.
Martin Blomkvist, Head of Content Acquisition and Management at Sony Ericsson, said that the new service will support a wide range of Sony Ericsson phones, as well as Windows Media DRM-enabled devices, regardless of manufacturer. He was quite optimistic with the new service and had this to say:
With PlayNow arena we are creating a unique mobile entertainment experience open to all. We want to invite as many people as possible to be part of the PlayNow arena by removing as many restrictions as possible.
So maybe the rumors of those concept Sony Ericsson PSP phones weren't that far off after all.
3 Skypephone now available for pre-order
by Victor B.
30 Oct 2007 at 7:55am
Previously, we relayed to you a rumor about the existence of a new phone that would enable Skype users to send phone calls to other Skype users for free. Thanks to a tip from Luciano, however, we've just found out that it isn't a rumor. In fact, it seems to be already available for folks everywhere to pre-order.
The device is called the 3 Skypephone, and as its name implies, the phone's main draw is its ability to let Skype users call other Skype users, whether on the computer or on other Skype-capable phones, for free. According to the website, the service is available for both pay-as-you-go users and subscribers, though pay-as-you-go users will have to pay a 49.99 fee to keep the service active.
In addition to the Skypephone's special service, the phone will carry the same accoutrements, such as an mp3 player and camera. For more information, you can check Three's Skypephone page, as linked below
Virgin Mobile offering audio streaming with Kyocera's Wild Card
by Sally B.
21 Oct 2007 at 5:39pm
Virgin Mobile now has a winning card in their hands: introducing Virgin Mobile's Wild Card by Kyocera. It's a mobile phone than can stream music through its Headliners streaming audio application. How's that for getting your music on the go?
Kyocera's Wild Card is looking nifty, with its flip open QWERTY keyboard, color LCD screen, and a 1.3 megapixel camera that will become handy should you wish to save some memories you have with your friends.
The going rate isn't bad either. The audio streaming service through Virgin Wireless is only US 2.50 per month, and songs on demand are available for a very affordable 25 cent rate. Reports have mentioned that the song-on-demand fee will permit unlimited listening to the song, but Virgin did not clarify exactly how.
It looks like Virgin is definitely on the roll with their audio streaming services, including Virgin Radio for the Wii and PS3, and we're definitely not complaining.
