Archive for the ‘Mobile News’ Category
Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 |
Sprint today announced a software upgrade for the Mogul, a Windows Mobile device packed with advanced wireless capabilities.
EV-DO Rev. A technology supports faster data rates and higher system capacity letting users send and receive data at broadband speeds (comparable to basic DSL). Average download speeds will increase from 400-700 Kbps to 600 Kbps-1.4 Mbps and average upload speeds will increase from 50-70 Kbps to 350-500 Kbps.
Besides increased data speeds, the free software download also provides advanced GPS functionality allowing support of popular applications such as Sprint Navigation. Sprint Navigation provides audio and visual turn-by-turn directions, more than 10 million local listings, and one-click traffic rerouting on compatible phones, similar to an in-vehicle GPS system.
The Mogul replicates the familiar Windows PC-based experience and by using the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 Professional Edition to deliver benefits including increased security and added support for HTML email and Microsoft Office Mobile. Other key features include:
- Innovative design with slide-out QWERTY keyboard, large touchscreen, a thumbwheel and five-way navigation button
- Support for Sprint applications including Sprint Music Store and OnDemand
- ActiveSync software allowing fast and accurate synching of Outlook Mobile applications included on the device such as email, calendar, task lists and contacts
- Phone as Modem capabilities to use the phone as a wireless modem with a laptop
- A 2.0-megapixel camera with flash, auto-focus and camcorder capabilities
- Stereo Bluetooth wireless technology
The Mogul’s new software ROM and downloading instructions are available at www.america.htc.com/mogulupdate .
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Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 |
Apple today unveiled tools for outside developers to make software programs for its iPhone, a move intended to widen the appeal of the multifunction device. Previewing the iPhone 2.0 software, scheduled for release this June, Apple announced the beta release of the software, offering new enterprise features such as support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync to provide secure, over-the-air push email, contacts and calendars as well as remote wipe, and the addition of Cisco IPsec VPN for encrypted access to private corporate networks.
“We’re excited about creating a vibrant third party developer community with potentially thousands of native applications for iPhone and iPod touch,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPhone’s enterprise features combined with its revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface and advanced software architecture provide the best user experience and the most advanced software platform ever for a mobile device.”
The iPhone SDK provides developers with tools to create applications for the iPhone and the iPod touch including programming interfaces for Core OS, Core Services, Media and Cocoa Touch technologies. The iPhone SDK will allow developers to create applications that leverage Multi-Touch user interface, animation technology, large storage, built-in three-axis accelerometer and geographical location technology to deliver mobile applications.
Apple has licensed Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync and is building it right into the iPhone, so that it will connect out-of-the-box to Microsoft Exchange Servers 2003 and 2007 for secure over-the-air push email, contacts, calendars and global address lists. Built-in Exchange ActiveSync support also enables security features such as remote wipe, password policies and auto-discovery. The iPhone 2.0 software supports Cisco IPsec VPN for IP-based encryption available for transmission of sensitive corporate data, as well as the ability to authenticate using digital certificates or password-based, multi-factor authentication. The addition of WPA2 Enterprise with 802.1x authentication enables enterprise customers to deploy the iPhone and iPod touch with the latest standards for protection of Wi-Fi networks.
The iPhone 2.0 software provides a configuration utility that allows IT administrators to easily and quickly set up many iPhones, including password policies, VPN setting, installing certificates, email server settings and more. Once the configuration is defined it can be easily and securely delivered via web link or email to the user. To install, all users has to do is authenticate with a user ID or password, download the configuration and tap install. Once installed, users will have access to all their corporate IT services.
The iPhone 2.0 software release will contain the App Store, a new application that lets users browse, search, purchase and wirelessly download third party applications on the iPhone or iPod touch. The App Store lets developers reach every iPhone and iPod touch user. Developers set the price for their applications and retain 70 percent of all sales revenues. Users can download free applications at no charge to either the user or developer, or purchase priced applications with just one click. Enterprise customers will be able to create a secure, private page on the App Store accessible only by their employees. Apple will cover all credit card, web hosting, infrastructure and DRM costs associated with offering applications on the App Store. Third party iPhone and iPod touch applications must be approved by Apple and will be available exclusively through the App Store.
During the beta iPhone SDK program, a limited number of developers will be accepted into Apple’s new iPhone Developer Program and offered the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing. The Standard Program costs $99 (US) per year and gives members an iPhone SDK and development tools; access to pre-release iPhone software; technical support; the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing; and distribution of applications via the new App Store. The Enterprise Program costs $299 (US) per year.
In addition to these new iPhone network and security features, the beta iPhone 2.0 software provides several new Mail features such as the ability to view PowerPoint attachments, in addition to Word and Excel, as well as the ability to mass delete and move email messages.
Apple plans to release the final iPhone 2.0 software, including the iPhone SDK and new enterprise features, as a free software update for all iPhone customers by the end of June. Third party applications created for the iPhone will also run on the iPod touch, and iPod touch users will be required to purchase a software update to run these applications. The free beta iPhone SDK is available immediately worldwide and can be downloaded at http://developer.apple.com/iphone/program . The iPhone Developer Program will initially be available in the US and will expand to other countries in the coming months.
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Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 |
Levi’s today unveiled The Original, a classic monoblock cell phone. The front and back panels and keypad are made of high-quality steel, while the top is manufactured from soft plastic to be pleasant against the speaker’s ear.
A diagonal pattern on the front and back ensures The Original doesn’t slip out from hands, while 12 miniature steel bolts along the perimeter are reminiscent of rivets on jean pockets. On the bottom, a twisted in-steel bolt is the binding for the chain (included in the package).
All the steel doesn’t influence its weight, measuring just 96 x 55 x 11 mm and weighing only 98 g. A high-quality 262K-color TFT display measures 1.76-inches with a resolution of 220 x 176 px.
Levi’s The Original is also equipped with a 2.0-megapixel camera with multi-shoot and autotimer, capable of snapping photos up to 1600 x 1200 px in size. The Original shoots video in two formats: MPEG4 and 3GP (H.263).
With a 780 mAh Li-Ion battery, consumers have enough for 3.5 hours of talk time or 200 hours of standby. The 60 MB embedded memory is easily enlarged with memory cards (microSD slot is under the back panel). A USB connection with PC makes data storage and exchange easy and comfortable. Other features include an embedded MP3 player and FM receiver with radio broadcast record functionality.
Able to store up to 300 contacts, the phonebook gives each subscriber his own melody and picture. The preinstalled “image editor” lets users create change pictures from simple photos and send them to friends by MMS or EMS.
Internet is available over WAP 2.0 or GPRS Class 8 (may also be used as GPRS-modem). The Original also has Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP connection (necessary for dictaphone), currency-converter, stop-watch and calculator.
Levi’s The Original will be available in the black color at a recommended retail price of $520 USD.
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Wednesday, March 19th, 2008 |
Yahoo today unveiled onePlace, a bookmarking tool that lets users keep track of favorite Web topics on their cell phones. Based on using bookmarks to link to any piece of content, onePlace keeps information automatically updated as well as assigns categories and tags. Content is put in customized “collections” that users create - making it easier to find and combine information.
onePlace allows users to stay informed on topics with less work. For example, if a user is planning a holiday to Paris in June, he could create a “Paris” collection, and begin linking it to any information he thinks will be useful to him on his trip: weather conditions, city guides, restaurant reviews, hotel reservations, walking maps, songs of Edith Piaf, English-French dictionaries, winery recommendations, etc.
onePlace gives users a single location to consume all of their information contextually, keeping it updated (so they know, for example, if their flight times have changed) and accessible whenever and however they want it. onePlace is designed to include the following features, which will allow consumers to:
- Centralized and open content management - Centralize and manage content from anywhere on the Internet, accessible from a single location. The product is also designed to allow consumers to link to any content they’ve personalized on the Yahoo! network (e.g., MyYahoo!, flickr, del.icio.us), or at other popular websites (e.g., Digg, Last.FM, reddit, Yelp).
- Collections - Group content in a way that makes sense. For example, create a collection related to an upcoming trip, or of favorite 80s bands.
- Categories - Organize content according to commonly-used subjects (e.g., celebrities, local businesses, sports), making it easy to access and retrieve.
- Pulse - Stream updates relevant to users’ content, such as flight status changes, new songs by a favorite music artist, or a restaurant review.
- Favorites - Surface the content a consumer uses most frequently.
- Dynamic updates - See previews for selected sources that are kept fresh throughout the day - giving users a single location for a view of what’s going on across their world.
- Mobile RSS reader - Use a mobile RSS reader integrated into Yahoo! onePlace - providing a simple way to read and subscribe to their feeds.
- Smart organization - Create a specific topic by grouping content.
Yahoo! onePlace is expected to launch in Q2 2008. After its release, onePlace is expected to become available across hundreds of devices and mobile browsers around the world. For more information on Yahoo! onePlace, go to http://mobile.yahoo.com/oneplace .
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Monday, February 4th, 2008 |
The 8800 series is perhaps the most uptight, business-oriented model currently in RIM’s lineup, owing in no small part to the fact that it lacks a camera altogether. Seems a bit strange then to launch the 8830 in a shockingly casual, let-your-hair-down shade of red — but hey, we’re glad they’ve taken the plunge, and we imagine it’ll actually sell quite well against the original silver. Verizon’s red 8830 features the same specs as its blander brother, including GSM / GPRS on the 900 and 1800MHz bands for international roaming and EV-DO for when you’re on home turf. Look for it to hit Verizon’s online store tomorrow for $299.99 on contract after rebate.
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