Sierra Wireless announced that its USB 598 modem, which we’ve already seen being offered through Sprint, is now compatible with the Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless network. This, however, doesn’t mean you can grab the device on a contract. Rather, Sierra only wanted to say that you can buy the modem and separately pay for Verizon’s mobile broadband service.
As for the USB 598 itself, we’re talking about a small, EV-DO Rev. A-compatible device here, which allows maximum data speeds of 3.1 Mbps on the downlink and 1.8 Mbps on the uplink. There’s also a microSD memory card slot in the modem, as well as all the software required, pre-installed on the device, eliminating a need for a separate CD with drivers.
Want it? The Sierra Wireless USB 598 is now available for purchase through Brightpoint, Brightstar, and Sierra Wireless’ eStore.
Here’s one more news from the Mobile World Congress we’ve missed. It’s from Discretix, the good folks who sponsored my first trip to the event back in 2006.
They had two announcements in Barcelona:
First they’ve announced support for the Android platform. More precisely, they said that their complete suite of mobile content protection solutions is available for Google (NSDQ: GOOG)’s mobile OS, offering handset vendors a pre-integrated solution, lower development risk and reduced time to market. Discretix’ official release is available from here.
The second news deals with mobile TV. Along with DiBcom and Expway, they’ve debuted an end-to-end, standards-based mobile TV reference design. The vertically integrated and secure receiver/ESG package can reduce both risk and time-to-market for mobile device OEMs interested in capitalizing on the ongoing mobile TV revolution. Again, if you want to know more, there’s the official release.
Guess we’ve cleared the MWC news now. I hope, at least.
Following up on the specifications posted last week, we’ve got some LG Viewty 2-flavoured eye candy. The specs haven’t changed, but here they are again.
3? WVGA touchscreen
8 megapixel camera with manual (!) and auto focus, 16000 ISO, xenon flash, face detection, image stabilization, geotagging
Slow-mo and high-speed video recording
DivX and Xvid support
Wi-Fi, GPS
7.2 Mbps HSDPA
Accelerometer
3D S-Class UI
Outside of design, the only things these pics reveal is that the lens is Schneider-Kreuznach, and Dolby Mobile will be doing some work on the sound. Still, it’s good to see the solid device – now it’s just a matter of getting an official announcement, or even a rumoured release date…
You’ve read the headline correctly – we’re still coping with news from the Mobile World Congress. The sheer number of information was unbelievable and since there were some important announcements we’ve missed, it’s our duty to report them, even if we’re late.
Anyway, Nuance had two important announcements in Barcelona:
Nuance Voice Control (NVC) 2.0 was released. It’s the “customizable modular framework” that allows operators and handset manufacturers to speech-enable any feature, application, or network service on any mobile device, feature phones included. The solution combines command and control application – VSuite, with Nuance’s innovative Open Voice Search (OVS), Mobile Messaging, and the ability to inform and launch any native or third-party mobile application. Available in more than 20 languages, NVC allows all commands to be launched from the idle screen, and the graphic presentation is fully integrated with the existing branded applications on the device.
The second news deals with T9Nav, Nuance’s search and discovery solution for mobile devices. It relies on the T9 predictive text technology to simplify navigation and discovery of on- and off-device applications, content and information. As a result, by typing with just one key press per letter, users can bypass their phone’s menu systems to find applications, settings, games, songs — or any other feature or service available on the device or on the operator’s network. According to Nuance, by using T9Nav time needed for task completion is reduced to up to 67 percent!
Wanna know more? Nuance’s website is the place to get more information.
The upcoming BlackBerry Application Suite might be bringing BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) functions to the Windows Mobile form factor, but what about those who want it the other way around? You might want to look into nabbing the upcoming HTC Maple, recently spotted by CNet at Mobile World Congress. A bit of a cheeky name considering BlackBerry’s Canadian origins… It’s packing a full QWERTY keypad, trackball, and 2 megapixel camera, but other details are sketchy right now. Social networking is somewhat central, as a feature called Inner Circle will let you keep tabs on the right people at the right time – on evenings and weekends you can see what your friends and family are doing, while during the day business e-mails take the forefront. This one will likely team up with the QWERTY-clad Willow, spotted in HTC’s roadmap last month, to take on the heavy-duty e-mailers in enterprise. There’s a video review in German, if you’re looking to see this in action.
Yet another gem found whilst cruising through my photos of Mobile World Congress was this clip showing Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU)’s Enhanced Reality, which is still in its early stages. By initiating a video call through the service, video content can be superimposed onto real-world objects viewed through your phone’s camera. Two U.S. carriers are sniffing around the project, although no announcements have been made as of yet. It’s vaguely reminiscent of Nokia (NYSE: NOK)’s Point and Find object recognition software shown off at CES, but I think Alcatel-Lucent’s offer has the potential for more pizazz. Point and Find will certainly be useful if it see the light of day, but simple links to relevant information lack the wow factor that will rope in early adopters.
While combing through my photos from Mobile World Congress, I stumbled on one little gem that had managed to slip through the flurry of press releases and launch events. These HF-310 Speakerphones were looking a little lonely at the Nokia (NYSE: NOK) booth when everyone was oogling the N97 not far away, but they were pretty impressive. One-touch call control and volume adjustment around the rim made these things very practical, and the suction cup/clip/dash mounts let you really put them anywhere in your car. Full specs include:
Dimensions
* 80 mm (Diameter) x 21 mm (Thickness)
Weight
* 81 g
Operating keys
* Two buttons: Send/End key and Power key
* One illuminated key
* Ring for volume adaptation
Connectors
* Nokia 2 mm battery charger connector
Mount
* Sunvisor clip, easy mount, dashboard plate
Available colours
* Black
Operating time (maximum)
* 30 h
Standby time (maximum)
* 960 h
Bluetooth profiles
* Bluetooth Specification 2.0 with Handsfree Profile (HFP) 1.5
Paired devices (maximum)
* 4 (one at a time)
Nervous exhaustion, shmervous exhaustion. Here’s the year’s busiest week of mobile news.
Mobile World Congress has come and gone, in case you haven’t noticed our live-from-Barcelona coverage, and it’s time to rein it all in and figure out what actually happened. There’s a ton of new devices that were on display from most major manufacturers (sorry, RIM and Motorola (NYSE: MOT)), and too many solutions providers to keep track of. We have the prolific Dusan Belic joining us this episode, which is a rare treat indeed – before MWC, we’ve never been in the same time zone, let alone room! If you’re wondering where the podcast was last week, I was in New York covering a little RIM to-do, and stuck around for the CrackBerry podcast with RIM VP of Developer Relations, Mike Kirkup – feel free to take a listen if you’re into the BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) stuff.
Our Mobile World Congress Edition of The Signal Podcast is behind the jump – check it out!
File this under “disappointing,” cause that’s exactly how I felt when I found out that the LG KS360 aka LG Tribe aka LG Neon will be the first Korean company’s Android-powered handset. According to T3 — we haven’t caught this while in Barcelona — at the MWC, LG said it will launch the device with Google (NSDQ: GOOG)’s mobile OS during the summer.
The disappointment came from the fact that the KS360 is kinda childish-lookin’ device, obviously not designed for high-end mobile phone users. Moreover, it seems the specs will remain pretty unchanged, leaving the final product with the same 2-megapixel camera, which is kinda “so last year” these days.
Why not include Android with the Prada 2? Now, that would be something, don’t you think?
During the Mobile World Congress, France-based smart-card based solution provider, Oberthur Technologies, unveiled its latest innovation called SIMSense. From what we’ve heard, it’s the first motion detection SIM card, which should reportedly open new doors of opportunities for both mobile operators and end users.
Basically, with a SIM card like this, even the simplest of the handsets can add some motion-based features. Gaming instantly comes to mind, but Oberthur argues their product also fits every day usage, allowing customers to go to menu or reject a call by simply shaking a phone. In addition, many of the mobile apps could also take advantage of the SIMSense’s motion detection technology providing greater user experience.
We’ll see whether this approach can fly. In the meantime, here are Oberthur’s Xavier Drilhon optimistic words: “Through SIMSense, Oberthur Technologies demonstrates the power of SIM technology. I’m convinced that this innovative motion detection SIM card can significantly enrich customer experience, using any mobile phone and facilitate introduction of voice/SMS value added services by mobile operators.”
Nervous exhaustion, shmervous exhaustion. Here’s the year’s busiest week of mobile news. 
During the Mobile World Congress, France-based smart-card based solution provider, Oberthur Technologies, 
