The developer of digital HD Radio Technology iBiquity Digital Corporation is bringing HD radio FM broadcasts to all the iPhone and iPod Touch users. The trick is in the hardware-software combo – Gigaware Navigation Control HD Radio Receiver and Gigaware HD Radio application.

iBiquity takes advantage of the iPhone OS 3.0 and newer, which allows applications to control external accessories. As a result, users can take their HD radio experience with them, tuning into HD2 and HD3 multicast channels while on the go.

Alternatively, for the majority of us who are not audiophiles and who don’t want to pay $79.99 for the Gigaware HD Radio accessory, there are “good enough” apps like Pandora and FlyCast…

SeNd Technology have emailed me to let me know about their cool piece of tech – a connected S-PIR sensor, that uses text messaging to alert you – nice!

The S-PIR is a self-contained motion detector with build in GSM modem for sending a SMS Text message to you when the zone is breached.

Just register the pay-as-you-go SIM card with some credit and insert into the S-PIR, plug in the mains transformer and you are ready to configure. Then by SMS change the security passcode and add your mobile number – and it’s ready.

To “arm” just “ring” the S-PIR for a few seconds and you have 15 seconds to leave the secure area. Its now armed.

When the PIR sensor next detects motion you will receive a SMS informing you. The S-PIR will then call you so you can hear (via the units built-in microphone) and activity at the remote location.

It’s got a good range of features too:

• PIR Motion Detector.
• Built-in GSM (mobile) modem – just slot in a SIM card (UK PAYG supplied with S-PIR).
• Send SMS to up to 5 numbers (you, neighbour, estate manager etc)
• Name the zone – e.g. “Home”, “Office”,” Garage” etc.
• Built-in microphone – S-PIR calls you back to allow you to listen in at the location
• Battery backup – rechargeable battery will inform you of power fail, low battery and power resume.
• Arm just by ringing from your authorised number.
• Exit delay (Adjustable).

So what do we think? I have to say, having an interest in home security myself, I really like the idea – it’s not over-complicated, but does what’s needed, in an innovative way. If there are more products like this coming online over time, we really will be able to look forward to the concept of monitoring our homes remotely.

You can check out the S-PIR from SeNd Technology here.

Samsung is extending its Corby family of devices with a Bluetooth headset – WEP490. Just like the phones in the series (at least some), the headset is also available in multiple colors. The idea seems to provide users with ideal matching option that goes perfectly with their Corby phone. In that sense, the WEP490 is available in four dual-tone colors along with an all-black version. All of them feature sharp edge design, single big button for taking/ending calls, volume control keys and a status LED indicator. Noise reduction technology, echo cancellation and automatic volume control are also included in the mix, and the battery can work for up to 6 hours of talk, or up to 180 hours of standby time.

Russia will be the first country to get the Samsung Corby Bluetooth headset, and interested users will be able to grab it for 1,300 rubles, which is about $45. We’ve no doubts other markets will follow in the near future, as well.

[Via: SamsungHub]

Novatel Wireless has announced that Pannon, one of Hungary’s leading mobile operators, is the first Hungarian operator to launch Novatel Wireless’ MiFi 2352 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot.

For those of you that don’t know/remember, the funky little MiFi takes a 3G SIM card, and creates a mobile network connection, then spews out a WiFi connection locally that can channel through the mobile connection – meaning in simple terms, you have a portable mini-WiFi cloud at your disposable – a nice change from the chunky USB mobile broadband dongle most of us are familiar with!

The internal (ROM) storage, up to 16GB of expandable memory via MicroSD creates a flexible and robust platform capable of supporting a variety of location-based applications and enabling the storage of personal content such as music, video and pictures.  MiFi does not require any type of installation or previously installed software.  Users simply need to turn on the unit to connect to Wi-Fi enabled handsets or devices.

MiFi is currently available at Pannon’s selected shops and via Pannon’s Netshop.

ABI Research’s latest report says that by the end of this year, the world’s mobile handset accessories market will have chalked up a value of nearly $55 billion, representing a small decrease from the 2008 figure.

The problem seems in the memory card segment market, which has been oversupplied, with selling prices being barely above production costs — something that could unfortunately change in the future. The good thing, however, is that handset makers are more often than not bundling higher capacity memory cards with their products, and now we have few handset models shipping with 8GB cards.

Of course, memory card makers don’t want to disturb consumers, hence they’re experimenting with new ways of increasing the card’s value (and justifying the higher price), such as pre-loading them with some mobile content or even apps and games.

As for the future, the accessory market will remain somewhat sluggish in 2010 and not until 2011 will the 2008 figure be surpassed… Additional details about ABI’s report titled “Mobile Accessories Market Data” is available from their website.

Vuzix Corporation has officially launched its new line of sunglasses-styled Wrap video eyewear products across Europe.

For those of you that are not familiar, eyewear is an accessory that connects to your (mobile) device, and displays video outputted from it – think two small screens in the glasses that give you a virtual 44-67″ inch screen, and you are getting there!

The Wrap video eyewear range is compatible with (mobile) devices which have composite video-out and comes complete with an iPod/iPhone adaptor. Other devices the Wrap video eyewear connects to, with the appropriate cable adaptor, include: camcorders, portable DVD players, PCs and game consoles. All Wrap devices can also play back 3D content – which as we all know is the buzzword of the moment, but actually when you experience it is very, very, cool indeed!

There are going to be three versions of the Wrap. The Wrap 230 (£129.99 inc VAT), Wrap 280 Widescreen (£179.99 inc VAT), and the Wrap 920 (£249.99 inc VAT). You’ll be able to get them from The Vuzix Store,, and major online retail outlets including the Apple store, Firebox, and Play.com.

I’ve played with these devices before and they are very cool – once you get past the effect of watching the screens, and pop some headphones on, you get an immersive and very coherent viewing experience – and the Wrap rage looks even look vocal too!

You might be wondering what a pico projector is, or alternatively you may have a very good idea – however, for those of you that are not au fait, these little (being the operative word) bad boys are a miniaturised version of the old desk projectors we used to know and love at school. However, these things don’t show transparencies, nor do they connect to PCs (typically) – no, no – instead the pico modules fit inside of small housings akin to that which you’d find in a mobile device!

Now, to-date, things have only just started to evolve, but 3M reducing their prices of their dedicated modules is a good example of where things are going. Personally, I wouldn’t want a projector in my device, but I can think of lots of useful applications for such a technology.

3M are currently offering two projectors, and they have lowered the price of both:

• The new MPro-120 now costs 309$ (down from 327$). It’s a 640×480, 12 lumens LCoS based projector with a 4-hour battery life (at low brightness).
• The MPro-110 now costs 171$ (down from 230$). It offers the same resolution and brightness as the MPro-120, but has a lower battery life (the older engine is less efficient, and the battery is smaller).

This one is a trend to watch – expect to see more devices coming online with hi-res pico projectors built in, especially as we get towards HD 720p territory – suddenly your own home cinema is becoming rapidly viable!

(Note: any pico projector manufacturers that want to send me a sample to use, please feel free – I’d be very interested, and I’m sure the readers would too, to see how these things perform!)

[Via: picoprojector-info.com]

These days, phones have evolved quite a bit – some of them even think they are multimedia computers

However, there’s still a need for decent backup solutions – certain devices have quite elegant ones (the iPhone and iTunes come to mind), whereas are slightly more, shall we say, functional. So when I came across the “TrailBlazer Sim Memory Reader Pro” from MobileFun, I was pleasantly surprised. It seems to blend the most effective way to get data between a mobile device and a computer (sideloading), with some decent connectivity and software to help you manage file movement:

The TrailBlazer Sim Memory Reader Pro is a must-have accessory for transferring or backing-up your mobile phone’s files and sim contacts. The sim card editor is simple to install and really easy to use. You can back up both contacts and text messages with a simple click of a button. It allows you to tidy up your phone book easily using your computer keyboard, so you can edit names and numbers in seconds rather than fiddling with your phone’s keypad.

Lightweight and compact enough to be kept in your pocket the TrailBlazer Sim Memory Reader Pro supports all of the popular storage cards available today, including SDHC, SD, M2, MicroSD and MicroSDHC. As it’s USB, the TrailBlazer makes it really quick and easy to transfer photos and music files between your PC and other devices like phones and cameras.

What makes the TrailBlazer extra special compared to all other memory card readers is that it reads both memory cards and your sim card! So with the free software provided, you can use the TrailBlazer to read, store, transfer and edit your contacts and files instantly!

Card compatibility

• SD
• SDHC
• SD Ultra
• Mini SD/SDHC
• Micro SD/SDHC (Transflash)
• RSMMC
• DV-RSMMC
• MMC Mobile
• MMC/II/Plus
• MS/PRO/DUO/PRO DUO
• M2 Micro
• Sim Cards (2G/3G)

This thing can read pretty much any memory card, and because it takes the SIM too, provide pretty much a total backup solution. Anyway, for an absolute bargain at £9.99, I’d say really you can’t go far wrong!

Check out more details here.

Mobile road warriors can attest to the usefulness of 3G modems. It’s empowering to know that you can hop online at anytime, no matter where you are. It gets even better if you can use your 3G modem with a prepaid data plan, like the Broadband2Go plan from Virgin Mobile USA (NYSE: VM). And, it looks like Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless understands the need for prepaid data plans. The No. 1 US wireless carrier (by subscriber count) has just announced a trio of new prepaid data plans for use with the Novatel USB760 3G modem. The plans range from $15 to $50 per month, but don’t expect to get what you pay for.

For $15, customers will get 75MB of data for a single day of service. For $30, Verizon will offer 250MB of data, which can be used over the course of a week. The highest prepaid plan offers 500MB of data for a month, but costs a whopping $50. Compare those prices to the $60 post-paid (contract required) data plan from Verizon, and it’s clear that the prepaid plans are disproportionately expensive. If you compare those prices to Virgin Mobile’s Broadband2Go plans, which offer 100MB for $10, 250MB for $20, 600MB for $40, or 1GB for $60, and Verizon’s new plans look like downright rip-offs.

What justifies the extra cost of Verizon’s prepaid data plans? As far as we can tell, you’re paying more just for the brand-name. Verizon apparently thinks people shop for 3G modems like they shop for designer jeans.

Verizon Wireless will launch the prepaid plans and the Novatel USB760 modem on November 15th via Verizon retail stores. The Novatel USB760 will cost $129.99, and it’s up to you to fill it up with prepaid data.

I was pretty sure the undead season had come and gone, but the tormented spirit of the far-fetched mobile companion idea has reared its ugly head once more in the form of fresh BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) drivers for the Celio redfly. Now, should you somehow become inclined, it’s now possible to plug your BlackBerry into this laptop-esque accessory (via USB or Bluetooth) and experience your smartphone on a bigger screen with a full keyboard and trackpad. If that sounds disturbingly familiar, it’s because you’re remembering the Palm (NSDQ: PALM) Foleo, a project that was canned for fairly obvious reasons. Dusan still has a lot of hope for the idea, but I still don’t understand why I just wouldn’t invest a comparable amount of cash in a netbook or UMPC. In any case, if you’re thinking of picking up a redfly, they have one model going for $199 and another more buxom one for $249 over here. If you already have one, drivers for the BlackBerry 8900 Curve, Bold 9000, and Storm 9630 can be picked up from m.celiocorp.com/install on your mobile.

[via Celio]