IntoMobile » Mobile World Congress 2009

Sierra Wireless USB 598 modem can sing along Verizon’s network

Dusan Belic — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:35:25 +0000

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.

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Discretix at MWC: Content protection solutions for Android and complete mobile TV reference design demo

Dusan Belic — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:40:10 +0000

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.

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LG Viewty 2 Spotted at MWC

Simon Sage — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:36:33 +0000

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…

[via PhoneArena]

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Nuance at MWC: Nuance Voice Control 2.0, T9Nav released

Dusan Belic — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:17:03 +0000

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.

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HTC Maple Looks Conspicuously BlackBerryish

Simon Sage — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:06:12 +0000

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.

[cnet.de via MobileWhack]

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Video of Alcatel-Lucent’s Enhanced Reality

Simon Sage — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:17:51 +0000

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.

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Nokia Launches Stereo Bluetooth Speakers for your Car

Simon Sage — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:05:45 +0000

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)

Check out their product page for more info.

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The Signal (Episode 17: Mobile World Congress 2009 Edition)

Simon Sage — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:17:04 +0000

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!

Music by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, as featured on Tap Tap Revenge for the iPhone.

Filler by Krazy Baldhead.

Download The Signal ( Episode 17 ) – iTunes – RSS – (1:34:50)

Headlines

Acer Announces Tempo Smartphone Lineup

Vodafone Announces Android-Powered HTC Magic

Samsung Launches Slim, Sexy Touchscreen Slider: Ultra Touch

Samsung Launches two Beat Phones For DJs who Can’t Afford Turntables

Samsung Launches T-Mobile Memoir, Endorsed by Pretty Girls

Samsung Launches Omnia HD

Microsoft goes official with Windows Mobile 6.5 at Mobile World Congress!

LG-GM730 Rocks “New” Windows Mobile… 6.5?

LG Officially Outs Arena, Sticks Out Tongue at iPhone

LG Style Rocks Transparent Sliding

Nokia 6710 Navigator and 6720 classic get announced

Nokia unveils two new ESeries devices – E55 and E75

HTC unveils Touch Diamond 2, Touch Pro 2!!!

Sony Ericsson unveils 12MP touchscreen “Idou” at Mobile World Congress!

P.S.: Nevermind Rumours and Releases this week. This is more than enough. Sorry about the quality cutoff at around 0:42, was having some importing issues.

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LG KS360 slated as the company’s first Android-powered handset

Dusan Belic — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:17:51 +0000

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?

[Via: Gizmodo]

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Oberthur Technologies’ SIMSense is the first motion detection SIM card

Dusan Belic — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:19:22 +0000

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.”

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Samsung S5600 unveiled as an affordable touchscreen phone

Dusan Belic — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:47:33 +0000

This one we’ve missed during the Mobile World Congress. Aside from unveiling a range of powerful devices at the event, Samsung also announced the GT-S5600, an affordable touchscreen phone. There’s no doubts this baby will compete head-to-head with LG’s Cookie aka KP500, appealing to those who dig the “touch idea,” yet don’t want to spend fortunes on a handset.

Unfortunately, we don’t have much details at this stage. There’s some camera on board, Bluetooth, media player and Samsung’s own TouchWiz user interface. Exact release date is also unknown, but we’ve heard the Korean giant intends to push this baby to the market as soon as possible. We’ll be watching closely, have no doubts about it…

[Via: Unwired View]

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Handmark brings Pocket Express to Europe, launches application store within a client

Dusan Belic — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:41:31 +0000

At the Mobile World Congress, Handmark announced that its popular mobile news and information service, Pocket Express, is going to Europe, featuring local content in 8 languages: English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Finnish and Swedish. In addition, they announced that the new version also features a full on-device application store!

Let’s talk briefly about that store, shall we? From what we’ve heard Handmark, some serious publishers are on board — including such companies as Capcom, I-Play, Reset Games and Mobifusion. The whole experience is done over the air, without a need to download any desktop client.

Finally, for those not familiar with Pocket Express, they should know that it combines the most desired news, information, and entertainment services into a single, easy-to-use application. As a user, you’re never more than a few clicks away from the latest news headline, sports score, weather forecast, game or productivity application. Among Handmark’s content partners are well respected companies like the Associated Press (AP), Agence France-Presse (AFP), AccuWeather.com, Dow Jones and OAG.

More information about the Pocket Express for Europe is available from a dedicated website.

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BuzzCity opens its mobile social network to third parties with the launch of myGamma Developor Platform

Dusan Belic — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:37:20 +0000

So it was not just GyPSii that opened up its platform to the third parties. BuzzCity is doing the same with the launch of myGamma Developer Platform. As a result, interested developers can use the API provided to integrate their applications with the 3.2 million user-strong mobile social networking service – myGamma.

From the official release:

The initiative expects to see yet more engaging and useful applications developed as part of the company’s commitment to creating an enriching experience when users discover, connect and share. Insights into user activity suggest that utility applications like job alerts or cheap fare alerts will do just as well as fun activities like snowballs and water-bombs. BuzzCity also expects more advertisers to use the Developer Platform to deploy applications as an alternate means of reaching mobile internet users.

It’s good to see mobile social networks following the example of their “desktop brothers” like Facebook and MySpace. I wonder which service will jump on board next? I can certainly see this being beneficial for all the parties involved…

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This is the Palm Pre – Palm’s Sachin Kansal demos Palm Pre, Web OS, and Synergy

Will Park — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:23:40 +0000

When it comes to up-and-coming high-end smartphones like the Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Pre, there’s nothing like a little video demonstration straight from the source. At Mobile World Congress 2009 in Barcelona, Palm setup an entire booth dedicated to the recently unveiled Palm Pre and the Web OS. Palm’s Sachin Kansal, Director of Software Product Management, was on hand to walk us through the Palm Pre’s features, the Web OS and the power of Palm Synergy (Palm’s information aggregation service).

In his Palm Pre demonstration, Sachin shows off the flexibility and multi-tasking strengths of the Palm Pre and its intuitive Web OS UI. The Palm Pre’s Web OS proves that an intuitive touchscreen UI doesn’t have to skimp on power features. With true multi-tasking support, the Palm Pre has earned a bit of street-cred as a true mobile computing smartphone. The Palm Pre sports a 3.1-inch capacitance touchscreen, 3-megapixel camera, GPS, WiFi, 3G data connection (HSDPA or EVDO Rev. A), 8GB of on-board storage, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a super-fast CPU based on the OMAP3 architecture (the Palm Pre is the first mobile phone to use the processor, in fact) – all packaged in a lithe little shell that resembles a smooth pebble.

Unfortunately, Palm wasn’t too keen on announcing any more specifications for the Palm Pre at Mobile World Congress. As it stands, we know nothing more about the Palm Pre than what we were told at CES Las Vegas 2009. Still, the Palm Pre’s position as one of 2009’s premier smartphones, not to mention Palm’s last-ditch effort to bring the company back to its former glory, warrants another look at the Web OS-powered handset.

Click to play

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2009 Mobile World Congress numbers are here

Dusan Belic — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:49:26 +0000

The Mobile World Congress is over and GSMA announced this year’s numbers. Without further ado, here they come:

More than 47,000 visitors from 189 countries attended the 2009 GSMA Mobile World Congress.
50% of all the attendees hold C-level positions, including more than 2,800 CEOs.
1,300 companies exhibited at the event, occupying more than 57,000 square metres of exhibition and hospitality space — a footprint 11% larger than that of the previous year. (recession anyone?)
Nearly 2,400 international print, web and broadcast media attended the event.

The official press release ends with the announcement for the Mobile World Congress’ sister event, the Mobile Asia Congress, which will take place in Hong Kong in Autumn of this year…

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AnyDATA unveils its Windows Mobile offering for CDMA carriers

Dusan Belic — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:32:18 +0000

AnyDATA used the Mobile World Congress to unveil its Windows Mobile smartphones, designed for CDMA carriers. Three devices were announced and we’ll briefly talk about each one of them. Let’s start:

First comes the ASP-505A, which will be marketed by Russia’s leading CDMA operator – Skylink. The device runs on 450Mhz CDMA EVDO Rev A technology, and among other things sports a touchscreen, WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth and camera. In addition to CDMA version, AnyDATA is also working on an HSDPA-based device that will operate on Windows Mobile 6.5.
Then there’s the ASP-210C, a QWERTY keyboard-equipped smartphone, that is made to work on CDMA 1x 800 Mhz networks. Specs wise, there’s Bluetooth, FM radio and media player, while Windows Mobile 6.1 is running the show.
Finally, AnyDATA introduced the ASP-535D that operates at 800 and 1900 Mhz frequencies on CDMA 1x EV-DO Rev. A networks. It features a sleek, stylish design, sporting such things as GPS receiver, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity support, QWERTY keyboard, and the UI based on the newly announced Windows Mobile 6.5.

Before we go, it’s important to add that in addition to smartphones, AnyDATA also provides modems, GPS tracking devices, and turnkey tracking services to mobile operators…

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Better Energy Systems unveils solar-powered handsfree car kit at MWC

Dusan Belic — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:07:06 +0000

Better Energy Systems is the company we’ve already covered in the past and during the recently ended Mobile World Congress, they’ve unveiled their latest baby. It’s called Solio Communicator and it’s a handsfree car kit, designed to be mounted on the visor.

As expected, the device connects to a mobile phone via Bluetooth and is ideal for those living in sunny areas like Spain. Of course, the Solio Communicator comes with its own Li-Ion battery, allowing it work even by night, when there’s no Sun around. The battery is automatically charged using the power of the Sun, but you can also add juice to it through USB.

As for other information about the Solio Communicator, you may also want to know that it weighs only 150 grams and that there’s a hi-fi directional microphone under the hood, which should provide maximum clarity while making or receiving a call.

Finally, let’s talk about the availability. Better Energy Systems said their new handsfree kit will hit the market in mid-2009 and will cost 80 EUR (79.99 to be more precise).

[Via: Renewbl]

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Forum Nokia announces winners of Calling All Innovators competition

Dusan Belic — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:57:25 +0000

Forum Nokia (NYSE: NOK) announced the final winners in its global “Calling All Innovators” contest for mobile applications and solutions to help improve the quality of life on the planet. Nearly 1,000 developers from 57 countries who submitted mobile applications were narrowed to 11 finalists in January:

ECO-Challenge – apps and solutions designed to help minimize mobility’s global environmental impact and enable users to make sustainable lifestyle choices:

Grand Prize: GreenDrive (Israel)
1st Place: TigerMap (China)
2nd Place: Ticketek Mobile Ticketing (Argentina)
Runner-up: Green Phone (India)

Emerging Markets – New mobile solutions to improve the daily lives of millions in developing nations, focused on areas such as education, health data access, infotainment and agriculture.

Grand Prize: Nano Ganesh (India)
1st Place: mPedigree (Ghana)
2nd Place: DigitallCS (Digital Internal Control System) (Mexico)

Technology Showcase - Applications using Flash Lite, Java, Python, open source or other technologies supported by Series 40 or S60 devices that create a compelling end-user experience for individuals or communities:

Grand Prize: X Dancery (China)
1st Place: kReader Mobile (U.S.)
2nd Place: Neuscreen (Thailand)
Runner-up: PhotoMap (Germany)

In the next round of Calling All Innovators, Forum Nokia is challenging developers to create applications that will enhance the use of mobile devices in real-world scenarios, in the following categories:

Internet Innovation (conducted in tandem with Nokia’s Widget Design Competition)
Flash
Emerging Markets

Application submissions will remain open through 30 June, at the official website, from where you can also get all the details…

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Genaker launches new Windows Mobile PTT technology

Dusan Belic — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:21:38 +0000

Developer of SIP-based VoIP apps, Genaker, announced the launch of genaker40501, a new OMA push-to-talk service for Windows Mobile-powered smartphones and PDAs.

Touted as the “advanced push-to-talk technology,” genaker40501 allows mobile operators and service providers to provide their customers with a way to communicate easily with numerous people at the touch of a button. It is also the only solution that combines PTT technology with real-time location tracking, when used with GPS-enabled handsets.

As expected (like the overall PTT technology), Genaker’s solution is designed for such users groups as government bodies, shipping and courier organisations or companies with a large feet or remote personnel. In addition, genaker40501 can be also useful to individual users involved in outdoor activities with “rugged” smartphones/PDAs…

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Gigafone launches Ochre to tackle market fragmentation

Dusan Belic — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:07:45 +0000

Mobile advertising space is heating up, and now we have Gigafone — the company which we’ve already covered before — announcing the launch of its new digital advertising solution – Ochre. So what is Ochre? It’s a vendor agnostic solution designed to provide brands, agencies and mobile operators with a holistic and simplified view of the advertising ecosystem.

Nine partners from across the advertising value chain participated in the launch to make Ochre more powerful, to tackle market fragmentation.

From the press release:

The key to Ochre is allowing advertisers to choose the best mobile delivery channel for individual campaigns by utilising the intelligent analysis and reporting facility built into the solution based on previous campaigns. Ochre combines sophisticated booking and planning tools with user generated profiling and historical campaign analysis to allow advertisers to make an informed choice over which delivery mechanism will resonate best with the consumers they are looking to engage with. Gigafone has brought together mobile advertising innovators: Xtract, Vizimo, Palringo, Aditon, Yodel Digital, Icom Group, Liquid Air Lab, Sponge Group and OwnSkin as launch partners for the Ochre solution.

With demographic and purchasing characteristics changing on a campaign by campaign basis, Ochre has been built to cope with the complexity of mobile advertising. Advertisers can now switch delivery channels at the click of a button, making sure content rich information gets to the right person at the right time. This means consumers receive relevant and timely information about products that they are interested in and advertisers can reduce wastage generated from blanket campaigns. Ochre provides the transparency required to optimise advertising campaigns to ultimately improve return on investment.

Unsurprisingly, Gigafone is in the midst of recruiting partners to join the Ochre solution, and is also working closely with leading brands and agencies to provide a tailored experience with a range of relevant delivery channels for all digital campaigns.

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