“It has become a tradition with many Japan’s handset makers to give names of big TV brands to mobile displays and phone image processing systems. For example, Toshiba has equipped its new 921T handset (announced yesterday by SoftBank operator) with a widescreen OLED display called “REGZA”This clamshell phone has a waterproof shell, which complies with IPX5, IPX7 standards. Its hinge display can be revolving in two directions. The 921T comes with a TV-tuner receiving “one-segment” digital TV-programs, specially designed for mobile devices.The short specs of Toshiba 921T:
National networks only – W-CDMA with HSPDA (up to 3.6 Mbps)
Dimensions: 51x106x19.4 mm
Weight: 132 g
Display: 2.8” widescreen, 240×400 pixels
microSD cards (up to 2 GB)
Main camera: 3.24-megapixel, auto focus, image stabilizer
Camera for video calls: CMOS, 320-kpix
Connectivity: Bluetooth (stereo sound), IrDA
Navigation and payment services
Terrestrial TV programs” via mobile-review.com
MWg and Splashpower join forces to offer wirelessly powered Smartphones
” Mobile & Wireless Group (MWg – formerly known as O2 Asia) Splashpower Ltd., a Cambridge, U.K.-based developer of wireless power technology, yesterday announced that they have signed an agreement that will enable MWg devices to be powered wirelessly.Under terms of the agreement, MWg devices (most likely MWg’s upcoming Xda Windows Mobile smartphones) will be equipped by mid year with Splashpower’s technology to enable inductive charging, where electrical batteries of a handset are charged wirelessly using electromagnetic induction.Mark Billington, MWg’s chief executive officer (CEO) notes: “This is a superb opportunity for MWg to provide the convenience of wireless power to our customers. We are a strong advocate of innovative technology that enhances the consumer experience. The addition of this technology will provide end users greater flexibility in charging their handsets.””MWg is a proven innovator who will effectively showcase our technology,” adds Bill Campbell, CEO of Splashpower. “The charging convenience and universality we offer is a natural addition to the exciting new devices in the 2008 MWg roadmap.”Sounds interesting but hopefully MWg’s upcoming devices will also feature a USB port since I don’t want to carry a cradle if I’m traveling. Also I’m not sure how to sync. Wirelessly via Bluetooth (which is fine for me but still not as automatic as it should be)?” via theunwired.net
NXP Semiconductors and Purple Labs bring Linux to mass market 3G handsets
“NXP, the newly independent semiconductor company founded by Philips, today announced the availability of the Linux open source operating system for its 3G mobile phone system solution. Working in collaboration with Purple Labs, a French design company offering fully integrated solutions for mobile communication products, NXP has launched the Nexperia cellular system solution 7210 with Linux for 3G handsets. Not having the additional cost and complexity of integrating a dedicated application processor, manufacturers will be able to enjoy the time-to-market advantages of using a high level operating system. Operators will also be able to provide a stable, powerful yet cost effective platform to offer new connected services. The NXP Nexperia cellular system solution 7210 is a powerful dual-mode UMTS multimedia platform running on a single core ARM9 for the 3G mobile feature phone market. By offering a Linux-based platform on a single core, the Nexperia cellular system solution 7210 gives greater flexibility, allowing easy development and upgrades. The choice of offering an open source operating system gives this flexibility without increase of cost. “Linux is gaining ground in the mobile handset space due to the benefits it brings to manufacturers and operators and eventually also to the end consumers,” said Michel Windal, marketing director, Mobile & Personal Business Unit, NXP Semiconductors. “Linux motivates developers to generate and share new vibrant media applications such as games, advanced music players and intuitive TV-on-mobile, offering greater benefits to the end-user and allowing for differentiation for both manufacturers and operators.”“The Open Source platform supports interoperability across the various brands of handset devices,” said Dennis O’Donovan, Managing Director, Purple Labs, “Linux lends itself well to modular design by offering OEMs a flexible and powerful operating system, resulting in the easier development of new applications. Today’s end-users demand feature-rich, compact and cost competitive handsets, but will not compromise on core features such as low-power consumption and high performance and the Nexperia cellular system solution 7210 with Linux easily enables manufacturers to meet these needs.” Following comprehensive testing and certification, the Nexperia cellular system solution 7210 with Linux ensures interoperability with all major operator networks which dramatically cuts development cost and speeds up time to market. The Nexperia cellular system solution 7210 with Linux supports “true UMTS” performance, delivering seamless service coverage in 2G and 3G networks as well as an advanced level of multimedia features that allow to take full advantage of the 3G possibilities. Purple Labs offers a complete Linux software suite running on top of a Linux 2.6 kernel Availability The Nexperia cellular system solution 7210 for Linux will be demonstrated at the 3GSM World Congress, at the NXP booth (Hall 8, booth 110). The solution is available immediately through Purple Labs. Mass production is expected to start during the second half of 2007. About NXP NXP is a top 10 semiconductor company founded by Philips more than 50 years ago. Headquartered in Europe, the company has 37,000 employees working in 26 countries across the world. NXP creates semiconductors, system solutions and software that deliver better sensory experiences in mobile phones, personal media players, TVs, set-top boxes, identification applications, cars and a wide range of other electronic devices. News from NXP is located at www.nxp.com.
Details on Glofiish V900 from ETens chief!
“We’ve already mentioned an upcoming E-Ten product – Glofiish V900 communicator, which will be announced at Mobile World Congres in Barcelona next month. A fortnight back E-Ten posted a teaser image of the communicator unveiling the support of digital TV in DVB-H, DVB-T, T-DMB и DAB formats.This time company’s chief Hwang Shan-rong has shed light on some capabilities of it. Reportedly, the communicator is powered by Windows Mobile 6 Professional running on Samsung 667 MHz processor. The device features 3G networks (with HSDPA), a 3.2-megapixel camera for photo capture, a frontal camera for video calls. We expect other details at Mobile World Congress.” via mobile-review.com