Day: March 1, 2006

Mobilemag has learned that the .mobi Google website is now live. It will be searching mobile news sources and listing them for online viewing. This is particularly noteworthy because the .mobi domain is not set for commercial launch until later this summer, so Google is way ahead of the curve.The .mobi domain is designed to clearly identify internet sites and applications that have been made for mobile devices. This news makes sense in the wake of news coming from Google this morning that they are providing Google News for phones. For now you can access it by going to http://news.google.mobi/news?output=xhtml on your phone browser according to the announcement, but this is just the first step towards google.mobi being the destination for mobile information. The company also announced that they are working with Sony Ericsson to provide phone-sized versions of Google Web Search and Blogger. Google is obviously positioning themselves to continue to be at the forefront of whatever comes from this new domain. via mobilemag.com

Kevtris 1.1 has been released. New features include WM5 support (including soft menus and square-screen device support), better graphics, and more. Best of all, it’s still free.New Version 1.1! Support for Windows Mobile 5 Support for square screens (240×240) Support for QVGA Smartphones Sound can be toggled Better piece shadows New graphics One installer for both Smartphone and PocketPC Download from PocketGearIf the link does not work, download from this siteAlternatively, download the CAB file

Fifth Media is preparing the release of its EMXI 700 smartphone. It is powered by Windows Mobile OS and meant for GSM networks. There is the support of Wi-Fi wireless networks. The smartphone is equipped with a digital keyboard like in an ordinary phone. The details on the specs are not clear yet.

The EMXI 700 is likely to be exhibited at CeBIT show in March starting next week. Fifth Media hasn’t provided any details on the release date, however the website of VIPN (Voice Internet Phone Network), the company to release the device, suggests it will be available in 2Q 2006.

We’re not sure how reliable the source is, but in an interview this week, a Motorola design manager told one of your faithful Gizmodo newshounds that the Q could be released as soon as next week. What makes us think it might be legit? He was holding a working model in his hands, and it was up and running on Verizon’s network.Our first impressions from holding it in our hot little hands for a few minutes: this sucker’s extremely thin, although a bit wider than our Treo 650. The screen is a bit squat for our liking, though, even if it’s crisp; with the soft-key icons running along the bottom and an info bar across the top, we weren’t able to display a ton of information on it all at once. On the flip side, though, the buttons have a nice tactile feel; and the side jog-dial is pretty handy indeed. Maybe the GSM version will be even more sexy? Only time will tell. via us.gizmodo.com

Vodafone K.K. subscribers in Japan will get to have their faces for passwords, the software can be credited to Oki Electric Industry’s face sensing technology.Oki’s Face Sensing Engine (FSE) will replace the current password system or feature in Vodafone K.K. units. Instead of keying in a password, the user will instead have to submit to a facial scan in order to use the unit. The sensor will be integrated in the Vodafone 904SH mobile phone which is slated to be released in April. Succeeding 3G mobile phones of Vodafone K.K. will also have the FSE as a standard feature.The new password system is more convenient as the user does not need to memorize and key in alphanumeric characters to activate the phone anymore. Password recognition and processing is also faster since Oki boasts that its FSE has the fastest verification rate compared to other similar devices or technology. Oki also guarantees that the sensors would be able to conduct reliable scans regardless of the lighting condition. It also assures accurate readings despite changes in facial features that are brought about by different facial expression.The integration of the FSE into the mobile units will not result to a significant increase in handset price as Oki said that the technology costs little. It would also not entail any inconvenience or require extra equipment as it is embedded in the mobile phone. And besides, how can you lose your face? via mobilemag.com