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“The Opera browser asks you a bunch of question the first time you put it in, most of which I didn’t understand because I suck at Japanese. If you already have configured wireless spots on your DS the game will see these settings and try to connect to one of these spots. If not, configuration is quite easy. Browser usage is quite easy. Easy enough that I just started messing with it without reading the directions. The simple row of tool items are rather strait forward. You have your Forward, Back, Refresh, History, URL Entry, Bookmarks, Find, Settings, Help, Screen Mode, Picture On/Off, Zoom, and Screen Switch. To go to a webpage just go to the URL Entry button, click it, and either use the on screen keyboard or the handwriting recognition.” Find out more here:

“Today at their annual Financial Analysts Meeting in Chicago, Motorola launched the update to their 3G RAZR V3x handset, the new MotoRAZR MAXX. The MAXX improves upon the V3x by being 5mm thinner and adding HSDPA 3G data. Additionally, the MAXX also gets EDGE support for its 3 GSM bands and the new high-speed v2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) Bluetooth with support for the synchronization profile.Like the MotoKRZR K1m that Motorola also just launched, the MAXX gets a glass front facade and new touch sensitive music control keys on the outside of the flip. Music, as well as photos and videos, can be stored either in the built-in 50MB of storage, or on a microSD memory card.The exterior of the MAXX also gets a bit of the blue light treatment when a call is received, as you can see in the photo below. All in all the Motorola MotoRAZR MAXX appears to be a good upgrade for V3x lovers. The MAXX’s updated looks are matched with equally updated high tech components.Motorola expects the MotoRAZR MAXX to be available some time during this half of 2006. No pricing or carrier information has been released at this time.” You’ll find more photos of the MotoRAZR MAXX at mobileburn.com

A consumer research study conducted for LogicaCMG by Ipsos MORI shows that mobile operators could be losing revenue because more than half (58%) of mobile phone users do not know the make and the model of their handset. The poll suggests that this lack of knowledge could be posing a problem for operators and manufacturers who are trying to drive uptake of advanced data services, such as multimedia messaging (MMS), video calling and mobile internet browsing. Accurate, real-time handset details will enable operators to market relevant extra services with which the user’s handset is actually compatible. Having access to this information will be invaluable for operators to cross-sell relevant services via all marketing media, such as SMS, email or direct mail, and will be especially crucial when a query is made to the customer call centre. For example, with only 42% of those surveyed knowing both the make and model of their handset, the number of additional revenue generating activities that can be encouraged and communicated by a customer care representative is limited. The exact handset details are also required for the correct ‘service book’, or software updates, for a new data service to be automatically delivered to the phone, enabling the subscriber to begin using it. Half of all users (49%) know only the make, with a further one in ten (9%) knowing neither make nor model. Men and younger users (in the 15 to 34 age group) are most likely to know details of their handset. These groups are also those most likely to engage with advanced data services (such as MMS and mobile internet browsing) than women and the 55 plus age group.While consumers themselves may not be overly interested in knowing the details of their phone, it is important for customer service specialists to know enough about the handset to be able to offer the appropriate technical advice. Paul Gleeson, chief operating officer, LogicaCMG telecoms, said: “This research demonstrates that many operators could well be trying to sell advanced data services based on the incorrect assumption that the users they are communicating with have basic knowledge of their own handsets. Often this is not the case; the language used by the customer service advisor can be inappropriately technical and, as a result, they could actually be putting a number of people off using their handsets.”Paul Gleeson added: “Mobile data services are much more complex to deliver to consumers than voice services – just sending through the right service book to enable MMS depends on knowing to which handset it is going. Operators and manufacturers can help in the roll out of new mobile data services by ensuring that they control this kind of basic information, rather than depending on their customers often limited knowledge.”About the ResearchThe customer experience, loyalty and mobile data services survey was conducted by Ipsos MORI on behalf of LogicaCMG in the second half of October 2005. The research study is based on a nationally representative sample of 761 mobile phone users age 15 and over, representing approximately 39.5 million British adults. Ipsos MORI’s continuous tracking vehicle, the Technology Tracker, helped place the research findings in context. (Ipsos MORI surveys circa 4,000 adults aged 15+ in Great Britain on their use of technology on a monthly basis).About LogicaCMGLogicaCMG is a major international force in IT services. It employs 30,000 people across 36 countries. LogicaCMG’s focus is on enabling its customers to build and maintain leadership positions using LogicaCMG’s deep industry knowledge and its track record for successful delivery. The company provides business consulting, systems integration and IT and business process outsourcing across diverse markets including telecoms, financial services, energy and utilities, industry, distribution and transport and the public sector. Headquartered in Europe, LogicaCMG is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and Euronext (Amsterdam) (LSE:LOG; Euronext:LOG). More information is available at www.logicacmg.com

“Word, Excel & PowerPoint Files on your Sony Ericsson P990, M600 & W950 Smartphone Documents To Go for Symbian UIQ 3 is a revolutionary application that allows you to view and edit actual Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files on your smartphone. Now you can truly stay productive no matter where you go or how you receive your files- whether via e-mail attachments, Bluetooth, IR, MMS or external memory cards. What makes Documents To Go for Symbian UIQ unique is the employment of InTact Technology. Simply put, InTact is groundbreaking, never before seen technology that keeps all original document formatting “intact” no matter what you do to the file. With it, you can use your real Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files with complete confidence because you’re not working on a copy of a converted Word, Excel or PowerPoint file; you’re working on the actual file on your smartphone. So go ahead and make a change – edit it, send it, forward it, and whatever else you want. Your files are safe with Documents To Go! ”

“At an event in Cape Town, South Africa last week, Motorola unveiled their new line of flagship handsets for the year. The MotoRIZR (“riser”) Z3, formally known as the Capri, is the company’s new quad-band GSM/EDGE slider handset. In fact, the MotoRIZR Z3 is Motorola’s first slider handset to be available globally.One of the key features of the MotoRIZR Z3 is a good quality 2 megapixel digital camera. The camera has a dedicated shutter button on the side of the phone and works in a landscape orientation, just like a regular camera does. Image quality seems to be much better than what we have come to expect from past Motorola megapixel cameras. Other highlights on the Z3 include a microSD/TransFlash memory card slot for photos and music, and Bluetooth A2DP stereo support.The slider mechanism on the Z3 is a doubly sprung, meaning that the handset snaps into both the open and closed position once moved far enough with the user’s thumb. The spring action on the units we tested in Cape Town are still somewhat stiffly sprung, but not as much so as the early prototype that we featured last month. But with that said, the units we used in Cape Town were still stamped with a prototype designation. The keypad design is very similar to that found in the RAZR line of handsets, but has a cleaner and more easily used layout. The tactile response of the keypad appears to have been improved a bit as well.” More photos and a photos and a video of the Motorola MotoRIZR Z3 here:

Taipei, Taiwan; July 21, 2006 – ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (ASUS) today introduced the V80 slim camera handset, which delivers 2M-pixel resolution, auto focus and 10cm close-up functions. The V80 is one of the slimmest mobile phones in the market that offers such advanced digital photography features. Advanced digital Photography The 2M-pixel built-in camera and auto focus function combined to deliver advanced digital photography for high-quality photographs and videos that are always in focus. The V80 also comes with another innovative feature, 10cm close-up shots, when users need to capture sharp, detail images. For night time photography or scenes that require panoramic angles, the V80 offers flashlight and horizontal photo features as well. The V80 further supports Bluetooth wireless printing functions. Take a picture and print it out immediately on any Bluetooth applicable printers. Mobile Music Enjoyment The V80 is both a MP3 player and FM radio. The hotkeys located conveniently on the phone enable users to quickly locate and play their favorite songs and radio shows. To deliver high-quality audio enjoyment, it supports Bluetooth wireless stereo headphones, and incorporated stereo amplifier and Flight Mode for music during flights. Program the V80 to automatically record FM frequencies, and never miss favorite radio shows again. Additionally, when listening to different music genres, the ASUS phone provides four special modes – Classical, Jazz, Rock and Electronics – to bring out the very best in sound quality. QR Code – Future of Mobile Convenience QR Code is already widely implemented in the most technologically advanced countries such as Japan and South Korea. The V80 adopted this new innovation by incorporating the QR Code scanner and barcode decoding software. QR Codes, which are barcode representations of website addresses, phone numbers or any information, will be included on advertisements, product packaging brochures or posters. Simply scan the code and the V80 mobile phone will automatically connect to the appropriate websites for fast online access and convenient information download. V80 specification
Systems : GSM 850/900/1800/1900; GPRS Class 10 Dimensions : 101 x 44 x 16 mm Battery : 750 mAh Li-ion Talk time : 2.5 ~ 5 hours Colors available : Black , white and reddish gold Display : 2.0″ , 26 0,000, TFT LCD; 176 x 220 Phone book : 1000 numbers and 9 quick dials Messages : SMS, EMS, MMS, E-mail Cameras : 2M-pixel with auto focus, flash and 10cm close-ups Multimedia : MP3 , MPEG4 video record, FM radio, speaker amplifier and song lyrics Ring tones : 64-chord polyphonic and MP3 Voice record : Call records Memory : 55MB built-in memory and miniSD support JAVA: J2ME(CLDC+MIDP2.0), 2 built-in JAVA games Connections : Bluetooth 1.2 (OPP, BPP, A2DP, AVRCP…..profile) / USB 1.2/ Bluetooth stereo headphone, data transfers and printing WAP : WAP 1.2.1 AND WAP 2.0
For more information on the V80 and other ASUS mobile phones, please visit the company homepage at www.asus.com.

“PalmSource will be exhibiting the Access Linux Platform at LinuxWorld San Francisco, August 14-17th. There will also be a special PalmSource Developer Day, which includes a number of sessions on ALP and will give Palm OS developers a first chance to try out existing Palm OS applications on ALP. The PalmSource Developer Day will take place on Wednesday, August 16th, and is targeted towards Linux Application Developers who are interested in taking their applications mobile. Attendees will get an overview of the components of the new leading platform for mobile devices–the ACCESS Linux Platform (ALP) and will receive early access and hands-on experience building applications for this new platform. Topics for this one-day event will be presented by Tom Chavez, Sr. Product Manager for PalmSource and Keithen Hayenga, Licensee Services Engineer for PalmSource. The programs and topics include: Introduction to ACCESS Linux Platform (ALP)Deep Dive into ACCESS Linux Platform (ALP)Compatibility Station. Extending an ALP Application.” Find out more at palminfocenter.com

The Nokia N93 transforms the way you shoot, shape and share your movies Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced that deliveries of the new Nokia N93 have begun. The latest addition to Nokia’s high performance Nokia Nseries multimedia computer range, the Nokia N93 offers uncompromised digital camcorder, telephony and rich internet functionality. Boasting a 3.2 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, 3x optical zoom and DVD-like video capture, the Nokia N93 also offers advanced connectivity and editing options. You can connect the Nokia N93 directly to your compatible TV for a widescreen movie experience, upload your images and video directly from the handset to select online albums or blogs, and even create high-quality home movies and burn them to DVD with the included Adobe Premiere Elements 2.0 software. “The mobile video revolution is here,” said Satu Ehrnrooth, head of Nokia Nseries Cameras, Multimedia, Nokia. “People are already using the internet as a forum for dialogue, and what better way to share your thoughts than through video! The Nokia N93 provides a perfect medium for this – you can shoot your short movies and share them instantly with others in the internet. Furthermore, the Nokia Nseries Studio (www.nokia.com/nseries/studio), which will be opened up soon for the public, provides a new channel for people to upload and showcase their mobile short films.” Sharp Shooter Unfold and twist the main display, and the Nokia N93 is ready to shoot high quality video and photos, with dedicated keys for shutter, zoom and flash making it easy to capture that once-in-a-lifetime moment. Featuring MPEG-4 VGA video capture at up to 30 frames per second, stereo audio recording and digital stabilization enabling smooth and shake-free movies, the Nokia N93 shoots DVD-like quality videos. It also boasts a 3.2 megapixel (2048 x 1536 pixels) camera with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens, 3x optical zoom and up to 20x digital zoom, as well as autofocus and close-up mode for amazing clarity and accuracy. The Nokia N93 features large internal memory of up to 50 MB, which can be further expanded with a hot swap miniSD card of up to 2 GB, allowing users to capture up to 90 minutes of DVD-like quality video or up to 2500 high-quality photos. Share and Relive Your Moments The Nokia N93 offers multiple options for sharing your videos. Share your uncompressed photos and video clips instantly via email, Bluetooth technology or by uploading them directly from the gallery of your device to compatible blogs. Or round up your friends and debut your mobile movies on a compatible TV screen, using either the included TV-out cable or wirelessly over integrated WLAN and UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) technology. For instant playback, set the device on a surface, flip the display horizontally and use the up to 262,144 color 2.4″ QVGA display (240 x 320 pixels) in landscape mode to watch your movie magic. The screen can also be used to browse the web, watch TV* over 3G networks, or make hands-free video calls*. Be Creative The Nokia N93 offers both in-built and in-box editing facilities. The edit function on the device allows you to combine and trim clips and insert images, music and effects. For more advanced editing, the standard Nokia N93 sales pack comes complete with Adobe Premiere Elements 2.0 which allows you to burn your mobile movies to DVD and export formats for web streaming and email. Communication Skills Like all Nokia Nseries devices, the Nokia N93 also provides exceptional communication and multimedia computing features. Designed to work on wireless LAN, 3G (WCDMA 2100 MHz), EDGE and GSM (900/1800/1900 MHz) networks, the Nokia N93 provides mobile broadband internet access for browsing, uploading content, and sending and receiving emails, allowing you to stay connected on the move. The Entertainer Store up to 1500 songs on your Nokia N93 with a separately available 2 GB miniSD card, and use the digital music player to listen to your favorite tracks wherever you go. You can also create playlists, rip your CDs and transfer your music collection to your Nokia N93 using Nokia Music Manager, provided on the inbox DVD-ROM. Or listen hands-free to your stored music or the stereo FM radio of the Nokia N93 by using the built-in speaker or a compatible stereo headset. And for a complete entertainment experience you can also enjoy high-quality 3D games with the pre-installed N-Gage franchise System Rush: Evolution. The ultimate mobile device for spontaneous video recording and sharing, the Nokia N93 is based on S60 3rd Edition software on Symbian OS. The Nokia N93 has started shipments to markets worldwide, including Europe, Middle East, Asia-Pacific, China and Americas markets where 3G (WCDMA) or EDGE and GSM networks are available. A full list of Nokia N93 features is available at www.nokia.com/N93. *To check the availability and cost of the service, contact your network operator or service provider. About Nokia Nseries Nokia Nseries is a range of high performance multimedia devices that delivers unparalleled mobile multimedia experiences by combining the latest technologies with stylish design and ease of use. With Nokia Nseries products, consumers can use a single device to enjoy entertainment, access information and to capture and share pictures and videos, whenever on the go at anytime.

“Enough with the rumours, conjecture, and hearsay. We want to hear it straight from the horse’s (or, as the case may be, Gates’) mouth, and that’s exactly what we got. The suits at Microsoft have confirmed that they are working on the Zune project, most notably a portable media player with its sights firmly set on dethroning the all mighty iPod from rival Apple and Steve Jobs. Let the battle of the super geeks begin.To be put under Microsoft’s Entertainment & Devices Division headed by Robbie Bach and Bryan Lee, Zune is not only the physical player itself, but a whole brand unto itself. “Under the Zune brand,” said marketing GM Chris Stephenson, “we will deliver a family of hardware and software products, the first of which will be available this year.”Among the other things that got confirmed along the way are WiFi connectivity and drive-based storage for the initial Zune player, as well as a new PlaysForSure DRM to accompany, rendering this player useless to Napster and other download service users. They also mentioned an add-on game pad for video games on the go, in some ways targeting the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP as well. I guess Microsoft is ready to take on all the giants.” via mobilemag.com

“Nokia announces that shipments have begun for the Nokia N73, a stunning multimedia computer with excellent photography features and integrated stereo speakers for optimized audio pleasure. The Nokia N73 includes a 3.2 megapixel auto-focus camera with Carl Zeiss optics, and support for social networks on the Internet like Flickr.The Nokia N73 is estimated to retail at roughly 400 euro without tax and subsidies and is available in three beautifully designed color combinations: silver grey/deep plum, frost white/metallic red and frost white/mocha brown. “We are very excited to bring the Nokia N73 to the world, it’s the ideal companion for any digital camera lover or simply anyone who appreciates stunning print quality and multimedia just a slide and a click away,” said Pekka Pohjakallio, vice president, Multimedia Computers, Nokia. “At the core of the Nokia N73 is a camera that is truly ready for the Internet age, enabling people to share their photos on the Web in an instant on Flickr or other photo sharing communities.”The Nokia N73 meets a multitude of the everyday user’s needs – in one pocketable device. Available in 3G or quadband EDGE/GSM networks, the Nokia N73 has all the diversity of a multimedia computer enabled with the S60 3rd Edition Software on Symbian OS. Combining powerful photography features with support for browsing, email and Internet communities renders the Nokia N73 the ultimate connected camera. A high-quality 3.2 megapixel (2048 x 1536 pixels) camera with Carl Zeiss optics, the Nokia N73 provides ‘real’ photo quality up to 10″ x 8″ (25 x 20 cm).The active toolbar interface provides a one-touch selection to effortlessly send photos via e-mail, Bluetooth connectivity or MMS, print or upload them onto an Internet community.” via slashphone.com