Today is the day that Bluetooth changes forever. As expected, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has gone official with their latest Bluetooth 3.0+High Speed spec, ushering in a new age of Bluetooth-connected devices transferring data at an impressive 24Mbps. The new Bluetooth 3.0+HS standard allows for devices, namely smartphones, to quickly pair with other…
Verizon Wireless announces LTE specs
Verizon Wireless has made a significant step towards their 4G LTE network deployment with today’s announcement of LTE network specs. The commercial launch of the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network is still a year or so away, and the newly released LTE network-spec will give hardware manufacturers a head-start on their 4G-compatible hardware. LTE will…
Verizon CEO Hints at LTE iPhone
According to a recent interview, Verizon Wireless CEO Ivan Seidenberg hinted that since CDMA carriers got passed on for the original iPhone, they might have a shot at a future Apple phone once LTE networks are rolled out across the board. Wishful thinking? Maybe, but a distinctly awesome possibility. Aside from that, Seidenberg said that…
NFC Demoed on iPhone
iPhone RFID: object-based media from timo on Vimeo. Near-field communication is barely working its way into niche handsets, let alone the hottest ones out there, but a research project out of the Oslo School of Archietecture and Design has a working prototype of RFID working on an iPhone. With a simple wave, the iPhone screen…
Video: Elan Microelectronics shows its multi-touch technology on Android
Elan Microelectronics, the company that is suing Apple for infringing their multi-touch technology patent, prepared a neat video, demonstrating its so called “eFinger Transparent Touchpad” technology on Android. And while we’ve no details how their case is going in court, this is yet another proof Android is multi-touch capable. Not that we didn’t know that…
Bluetooth Pen Helps Exam Cheating
It’s not exactly the most honourable of accessories, but definitely one of the more ingenious I’ve seen in awhile. This pen takes call through your cell phone via Bluetooth, and allows you to speak into the rear while listening to answers from a small headset. Don’t worry about proctors spotting the earpiece – it’s about…
Visa Launches NFC Service in Malaysia
Malaysians can now use their Nokia 6212 to make near-field Visa payments – just wave your phone in front of a sensor and bam, instant buy in over 1,800 shops. Local carrier Maxis and financial group Maybank have both partnered up with Visa to make this happen, and is hopefully the first in many deals…
Bluetooth Headset Disguises as Fashionable Earwear
Here’s a cool idea – why not fold Bluetooth headsets into stuff we already have around our ears? In this particular example designed for a Plantronics competition, the lady-folk could have it built into a stylish ear stud. The microphone flips out as needed, and tucks away unobtrusively when not in use. TriSpecs are already…
Bluetooth 3.0 going official April 21!
Looks like T-Mobile’s going to be competing for press coverage on April 21. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) is ready to go live with their 802.11-based Bluetooth 3.0 specification on April 21. The new Bluetooth 3.0 spec touts faster, more reliable data transfers that will have us all transferring entire music libraries and DVD…
Nokia Working on Three Touchscreen Handsets with Haptic Feedback?
Rumours are bubbling up that Nokia is cashing in on their 2007 partnership with haptic feedback company Immersion, and will be making three new handsets using their so-called VibeTonz. VibeTonz is already built in behind the scenes on many handsets, including the LG Prada and Samsung Armani, and enables cool features like caller-specific vibration, touchscreen…