Rolls Royce Turned Mobile Store in India

A Rolls Royce Phantom has been visiting Indian Cities for months selling mobile phones! The Mobile Store, leading telecom retail chain in India, is behind this 'Mobile' Store.

This is not a new stuff actually, as it started its journey in 2007. Now it got world wide attention as autoblog spotted it from nfscars. See more pics and stories here.

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WinMo HTC Touch Pro Running BlackBerry OS

Now HTC Touch Pro can run a BlackBerry OS, but a virtual OS that runs as a Windows Mobile Application. BerryReview has some pics showing BlackBerry Application Suite running on a HTC Touch Pro.

In near feature this could turn to be an upgrade to HTC Touch Pro (and many other WinMo smartphones) as many of the BlackBerry applications are available through the application suite. BlackBerry is reportedly not afraid of extending its services to WinMo phones, which is now available only in BlackBerry handsets. 

Berryreview.com later came up with more details. The application suite, which is 32 MB in size based on OS 4.2.1, could be programmed to load as soon as WM boot up. It has almost everything in a BlackBerry, its email, PIN messaging, calendar, tasks, address book and memos. BES synchronization also works perfectly. GPS, Bluetooth and WiFi are among the features which it fails to support so is the video playback!

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First Official Pics of Motorola i9

This may not the first time you are seeing a pic of i9, but here we have more detailed official pics from Motorola. The phone looks like a blend of RAZR and Rapture VU30.

i9 is designed to work in iDEN (Integrated Digital Enhanced Network), a mobile telecommunications technology, developed by Motorola. Nextel provides the iDEN service for this phone, as you can see Nextel logo in some pics.

Other information available are its 3.1 megapixel auto-focus camera, dedicated multimedia buttons, GPS and Wi-Fi. See more pics of this good looking phone from engadgetmobile.

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Now Palm has Its Own App Store

Now every one else has it, from Apple to Android. But, the pioneer in smartphones, Plam has no app store till now. Making a good handset and distributing over a good carrier is not enough, services like app store and music stores are essential now a days. They says Better late than never, any way Palm has one now.

The palm's appstore is available here. Palm partnered with PocketGear to enable this service. PocketGear has been supporting smartphones with applications over various channels, with T-Online, AOL, Sony Ericsson and Softwareload among other distribution partners. Now they have about 5000 apps including games, over 1000 of them are free. Read more about Palm Software Store on jkOnTheRun. 

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New Samsung Pixon to Go 3G for U.S. market

Samsung's another 8 megapixel phone, Samsung M8800L Pixon, will come with 1900 and 850 3.5G, compatible with AT&T bands. Along with its refined touchscreen and stylish slim design it could compete with Apple iPhone 3G.

The phone is rich Specs wise. The first thing to mention, of course, is its camera, the 8 megapixel cam has auto-focus, flash and everything from face, blink and smile detection to advanced shake reduction. Other key camera features are Camera geo-tagging and auto-panorama shot. There is a secondary cam for video-call. The 3.2-inch TFT screen comes in 240x400px with 256k colors. Its 200 MB in-built memory could be expanded to 8 GB using microSD. 

The phone was available in Europe and Asian markets as Pixon M8800, now it is renamed to Pixon M8800L. This would be a good news in US market, which has not enough camera phones in the stores. After T-mobile signed Samsung Memoir, another 8 megapixel, AT&T is expected to grab the deal for Pixon.

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Microsoft Released its First iPhone App

iPhone has its first app from Microsoft, Seadragon Mobile. Seadragon is primarily a high-tech photo display software with advanced zooming features especially for high resolution images. The app is now available for free in Apple app store.

About Seadragon: Microsoft acquired Seattle-based Seadragon Software in 2006. Now it is a part of Microsoft Live Labs. Microsoft Photosynth photo-browsing program is based on the Seadragon technology, in which images of multiple resolutions are stored and only the bits needed to present the view on any given moment are delivered.

Seadragon Mobile Menu

Microsoft released this Mobile version to check the viability of the high-tech photo display technology on mobile platforms. Why they choose iPhone? They says it's because iPhone has a Graphics processing unit and is the most popular phone featuring the same. Yeah, iPhone is not the only smartphone with a GPU but they know an iPhone app could generate more headlines. Microsoft's another rumoured iPhone app 'Tellme voice-recognition service' is not expected until next year.

Another feature that make iPhone suitable is its 'multi-touch input'. The Seadragon app comes with about 50 sample images of 10 gigapixel range. The iPhone multi-touch screen would be handy for zooming in and out the high resolution images. Along with zooming around users can also make up limited Photosynth collections and can view uploaded 'deep zoom' images. Read more about Seadragon Mobile. 

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Korea's Pantech Aims to Become a Top U.S. Cellphone Maker

South Korean companies are making their mark in US market? Recently it was Samsung, which hits the news as it surpasses Motorola to become the number one mobile phone provider in terms of market share. Now it is Pantech, aiming big in the US market. Presently, holding only 1% of the market share they aim to become one of the top US cellphone provider while the big players like Nokia and Samsung warned a slash in the market.

Pantech Duo C810 Dual Slide phone

Pantech groups' Atlanta based subsidiary has close tie-up with major carrier AT&T and they are now promoting 2 of its handsets. In last quadrant they brought 4 handsets to the market. The main strategy of Pantech Wireless (PWI) are reasonable pricing and its elegant sleek design.

PWI already have some fine pieces of cost efficient handsets in the market. They call their 'C3' as 'world's smallest camera flip' while with a QWERTY keypad 'Matrix' and 'Slate' attracts teenagers. Last october they launched dual-sliding WinMo smartphone 'DUO'. Their costliest phone DUO is just $79.9.

It may take time for PWI to establish as a good brand but the close partnership with AT&T could help them. They are very excited about the upcoming DUO 2, with more sleeker design, better cam and updated Windows Mobile, which is expected to hit the market by early 2009. Read more-forbes.com.

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BlackBerry's First Ever Clamshell

Here is the first Clamshell from Blackberry, Pearl Flip 8220. So finally, Blackberry wanted a change? These guys are now thinking differently, targeting those customers who don't need their phone for work.         

This stylish clamshell has a 27x34mm outer screen displaying an analogue clock and a 240x320 pixel main display. The keypad is in BlackBerry SureType way, that is 2 letters per key arranged in QWERTY, as we explained in BlackBerry Storm's keypad options. 

Both Blackberry map and Google map are included. As there is no GPS you have to adjust with the 500m tolerance resulting from the cell site triangulation technique, which they use to estimate where you are. There is no 3G but the quad band. Wi-Fi and bluetooth connectivity are provided.

 

Pearl comes with BlackBerry OS along with a decent Web browser, email client and facebook app. 2 megapixel camera, decent audio player, 128MB in-built memory, 16GB microSD slot, 3.5mm audio jack are among other features of this good looking clamshell. Read Techradar.com review. 

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Loopt in HTC Android G1 Superior to that of iPhone

Ever since Android G1 is out it is being compared with none other than Apple iPhone, which sets the present trend in the smartphone market. Now the news is the Loopt, now available in Android App, which on a G1 has practically more features than Loopt on an iPhone. But its actually not the Loopt, but the fact that iPhone do not allow background processing for third-party apps.

Loopt is a popular social networking service for smartphones featuring social mapping, currently available in various smartphones in US. Among other features Loopt alerts users when a friend is nearby, it is called location updating. Here the iPhone fails, as it do not allow background processing for Loopt, user will get the alert only if the application is running. 

G1 users can revieve the alert in real time. Switching between map modes for a satellite view, sharing information with Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are among other features. Read more. 

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Google Maps for Mobile Now Available for S60 and WinMo

Google announced Google Maps for mobile version 2.3 for S60 and Windows Mobile smartphones. Earlier it is available only for Android, Blackberry and iPhone.

The main attraction is the Street View, which is recently enhanced for markets like France, Italy, Spain and Australia. In case you don't know, these are the places where S60 and WinMo are widely used. Google also promised new geographies in coming days, that you might have guessed.

The street view helps users to locate in an unfamiliar neighbourhood with its panoramic images. This new version also features walking directions, transit alerts from participating public transportation authorities and even user reviews of a place! Google mobile official blog has a video demonstrating street view. Direct your phone's web browser to google.com/gmm to get the new version of Google Maps for Mobile.

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First Glimpse of Lenova's Android Phone!

Lenova is making an Android phone? This seems to be true. Here is a pic of the rumoured phone from modmygphone.com, for sure this will make HTC shame.

Lenova is working on this phone, codenamed Ophone, for China Mobile. This would be China mobile's first Open Mobile System(OMS) based phone. So it will feature Android and TD SCDMA -their 3G standard. No specs are available right now. Will Lenova bring this phone to international market? There is very less chance.

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Netbook Manufacturers Prefer HDDs to SSDs

Analysis shows a huge downfall in the usage of SSDs in Netbooks. SSD was widely regarded as the key component for the Netbooks. More manufacturers like Asus are expected to choose HDDs for their Netbooks.

ASUS EEE PC 901 is a popular Netbook using SSD

The Asian analyst DRAMeXchange finds that 70% of the netbooks came with SSD in the Q1. The figure is dropped to 66% in the next quarter and now it is only30%. The analyst also feels only 10% of the Netbooks would feature SSD in Q1 2009.

So what makes HDDs more popular? There are several reasons but the money factor and capacity will dominate. Large capacity SSDs are expensive than HDDs. The users want their Netbooks to equal the performance of a Notebook. The popularity of Windows OSs in Netbooks are another factor as Windows work better in a HDD version. See the DRAMeXchange report.

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Copy and Paste for iPhone with out any software installation

At last some kind of Copy and Paste available for iPhone without any softwares like OpenClip. This new service, called 'Pastebud', works only between Mail and Safari.

The approach uses a combination of two javascript bookmarks and web services to enable copying from Safari and pasting it to Mail or text field of any other webpages. Pastebud cannot copy Paste to other applications like Notes.

But the service is not totally free. An upgrade of $5 is available for more conveneince. The site (now password protected) will be launching tomorrow. Gizmodo has a video demonstrating the functionality.

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Get the LG Dare Touchscreen Phone for Free

Here is the special Xmas offer from Telus, a LG Dare for $0.00! But on a 3yr contract basis with $20 bundle or higher for new Canadian customers and may keep the feature on their account for 3 months.

This is not your feature rich Blackberry Storm which is also available through Telus. But this cool phone includes good web browsing capabilities, 3.2 megapixel camera with flash, autofocus, facial recognition and video capture, Telus mobile music service and just 1GB memory card included.

Earlier LG Dare was available for $99.99 on same 3yr contract. The new scheme is available only upto the Christmas day. More details here, or get one!

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14 New members join Open Handset Alliance

Open Handset Alliance yesterday announced membership of 14 additional companies. The Android will be the platform to watch in coming days many major carriers and vendors joined the Alliance.

The members of the Alliance will either make Android compatible devices, contibute to the Open Source Project or just support the product and services. As they believe this will accelerate the availability of Android-based devices.

After OS and Browsers the Open Source trend is now in the handets! Find who make the 14: AKM Semiconductor Inc., ARM, ASUSTek Computer Inc., Atheros Communications, Borqs, Ericsson, Garmin International Inc., Huawei Technologies, Omron Software Co. Ltd, Softbank Mobile Corporation, Sony Ericsson, Teleca AB, Toshiba and Vodafone. Click here to read.

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Cowon to release S9 Curve in Korea this month

Cowon, leading Portable Media Player (PMP) manufacturer, anounced the new S9 Curve PMP. The S9 curve may continue the success of its8 D2. Cowon didn't release much information about this powerful product except some images and specs in its Korean website.

This sexy PMP comes with a 3.3-inch 16 million color scratch-resistant AMOLED touchscreen. Its sleek elegantly designed metal casing also houses a powerful 500 MHz processor, Bluetooth connectivity, digital television tuner, media player functions and an electronic dictionary.

It will be available for Korean customers from 16th of this month. BoyGeniusReport reports S9 is priced in three flavours: $150, $178 and $212 for its 4GB, 8GB and 16GB variants respectively.

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Nokia's Flagship phone N97 announced

Nokia announced its first smartphone featuring both a touchscreen and a full QWERTY keyboard. This would be one of the most powerful phones available. Hear it from Nokia's Vice president for N-series,Jonas Geust "From the desktop to the laptop and now to your pocket, the Nokia N97 is the most powerful, multi-sensory mobile computer in existence".

Product managers calls it a 'facebook phone' as it is tuned for social networking sites, it features high multimedia capabilities. The Symbian Series 60 v.5, corporate clients such as Mail for Exchange and the physical keyboard make it a way closer to the business requirements.

Social-Location (So-Lo) is a new buzzword introduced here. Which refers to the assisted GPS and a built-in compass which enables the social networks to find where their N97 user are and where are they heading. Along with So-Lo the widgets for Facebook and Myspace make it a 'Facebook phone'.

 And it has everything that you expect: 3.5 -inch 640x360 resistive touchscreen, Tri-band HSDPA 3G, 802.11 b/g WiFi,  32GB built-in and microSD expansion upto 16GB,5 megapixel camera with Proffessional Carl Zeiss optics and flash support for web browser. Another phone which could give iPhone a competition. It is expected in first-half of 2009.

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Standard & Poor cuts Motorola Ratings to Junk Status

Standard & Poor's Rating Service cut its long-term corporate credit rating on Motorola to 'BB+' from 'BBB', citing its 'operational challenges' that are not expected to fix themselves in the intermediate term. 

According to credit rater it will be harder for Motorola to borrow money to recover, as the cost of doing so has increased and it will result in lower profits, higher debt-to-earnings levels and diminishing cash flows. They also gave Motorola a recovery rate of '3' indicating the expectation for meaningful (50%-70%) debt recovery in the event of payment default.

Standard and Poor (S&P), a division of McGraw-Hill, is one of the top companies which publishes financial research and analysis on stocks and bonds. Motorola is also placed under review for possible rating downgrade by Moody's Investors service, where Motorola is currently just two notches above the junk status.

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World's Second Android phone revealed

Beating the front runners Kogan Technologies introduced world's second phone based on widely discussed Android platform. Phone is named as Kogan Agora Pro Mobile and will go on sale by Jan 29. Reportedly it will work on most of the networks around the world, not restricted to its home country - Australia.

Features a 2.5-inch touchscreen along with a QWERTY keyboard, which make it look like a BlackBerry. Connectivity include 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0. Also feature a GPS with Google Maps. It has an edge on others with its 624 Mhz processor! 

As an Android based pone it is finely tuned for browsing and related services: attachment support, IM, Instant email, one touch google search, advanced Youtube support and the list goes on. As open to any network the company eyes the global market for their product. Unlike other Kogen products it provides special provision for international orders. You can find more or place your order here.

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Turn your iPod into a Mobile Phone

You can now turn your iPod touch into a phone! All you need is Truphone, a free software downloaded from Apple's App store, and an additional microphone adapter.

Now calls to iPod touch, other Truphone installed devices (iPhone, Nokia N and E series) and Google Talk PC users are only available. The calls calls are absolutely free without any subscription fee or hidden charges.

Truphone is a company building mobile VoIP applications to place international phone calls to mobiles and landlines by routing them over the Internet through Wi-Fi. Even Truphone do not consider it a replacement for an ordinary telephone service. There is no emergency call facility. It also mention the users to confirm the legality of VOIP services in their locations.

The features for iPhone in the Truphone's to do list include calling to landline for a low price, IM to Skype and MSN, calling to Skype, MSN users, check and set facilities for Twitter, Facebook. All services except calling to landlines will be available free of cost. See the official site for details.

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Motorola to offer an Android phone

Motorola tries to bring back its brand value and market share through an Android touchscreen model. Motorola recently saw a set back in market after its highly successful Razr V3 model. It is not a secret that Motorola is seriously working on an Android based phone. There were also news that their Android team has been raised to a headcount of about 350.

The Android, which provides similar experience as an iPhone OS, has got nice reviews as it featured with HTC G1. This Motorola's rumoured phone is likely a touchscreen phone with similarities to Motorola Krave ZN4, iPhone and BlackBerry Storm. Motorola would be targeting the youth audience. It is expected to be out only by Q2, 2009.

MotoQ, the latest smartphone range from motorola, has been struggling. Many carriers were also not excited by its latest ranges. Motorola expect to hit back with this model. They already have touchscreen models, but this would probably be motorola's answer to new gen touchscreen models like Nokia 5800, BlackBerry Storm or iPhone. Android is also expected to get a major boost.

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Mobile Web browsing on rise

Recent analysis revealed a promising rise in the web usage from mobile phones. The reasons are considered to be the enhanced mobile web browsers and flat-rate mobile data plans. The increased popularity of smart phones is another catalyst. It is clear from the words of, ABI research director, Micheal Wolf:

 

"The increase in awareness of the Web on mobile devices--due to the iPhone and new RIM models--has helped contribute to this growth, as has the continued move towards flat-rate data plans by many mobile operators"

Apple iPhone's web browser became sensational as its browsing experience closely match with that of a PC's. With the heavy success of the iPhone many smartphone manufacturers started to follow the trend. Now all are very keen with their web browsers. Google Android also came up with iPhone like web browser. Manufacturers like Motorola, HTC are planning to release more Android based phones. BlackBerry also introduced an enhanced mobile browser for their new smartphone Bold. All eyes are on its first touchscreen model Storm which is considered as a rival to iPhone. Nokia's touch 5800 Tube is also on race.

If this is not enough there are still more reasons! Subscribing to Mobile data plans are affordable than ever. Many carriers are now offering a flat-data plan. If EDGE is not enough for fast browsing here is 3G. 3G's networks provide reliable and fast access to the web. For a quite some time, the big players in PC web browsers, Forefox, Opera etc are in the business, releasing their own mobile web browsers for smartphones as well as for mid-level phones. Skyfire along with these companies are also working to make their browsers more sophisticated. Opera recently launched beta version of its version 4.2 with improved video rendering with Youtube and more.

About 3-10% of traffic to the top sites come from mobile users! Many top sites have their own sites targeted at mobile browsers. Google said it will provide special support for iPhone users with local results and clock on links.
The increase in mobile web traffic also fueled ad programs targeted at mobile users. With more smarphones in use, fast connectivity and improved browsers the web is about to kick start a promising new era of related services and business!

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