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Gmail mobile launches

Google just announced that its Gmail webmail service is now available in a mobile phone friendly format. As long as Gmail Mobile doesn’t break any patents, it should be welcome to Gmailer’s looking to escape the desktop.

Gmail mobile launches
Google just announced that its Gmail webmail service is now available in a mobile phone friendly format. As long as Gmail Mobile doesn’t break any patents, it should be welcome to Gmailer’s looking to escape the desktop.

To use Gmail Mobile, just point your phone to http://m.gmail.com or sign up to get the link in a text message. In typical Google style, Gmail Mobile is free though standard carrier charges may apply. In a quick test here the service proved easy to use.

Google recently launched a mobile version of its map service, in the form of a Java application.

http://www.google.com/glm/gmail

via [mobiletracker.net]

gmail mobile

Memory Cards Round up

all about memory cards

Ever wondered what are these tiny chips ? Confused by the names ?
We are here to help you.

This article is about the various memory components available in the market for mobile phones.

Memory Stick

MS

Memory Stick is a removable flash memory card format, launched by Sony in October 1998, and is also used in general to describe the whole family of Memory Sticks. This family includes the Memory Stick Pro, a revision that allows greater maximum storage capacity and faster file transfer speeds, and Memory Stick Duo, a small-form-factor version of the Memory Stick.

50.0 ? 21.5 ? 2.8 mm

Memory Stick Duo

MS Duo

31.0 ? 20.0 ? 1.6 mm

The Memory Stick Duo, which is slightly smaller than the competing Secure Digital format, was developed in response to Sony’s need for a smaller flash memory card for pocket-sized digital cameras and cell phones, as well as Sony’s PSP. Memory Stick Duos are available in all the same variants as their larger cousins (normal ones limited to 128 MB, larger Pro Sticks, with and without High Speed mode, with and without MagicGate support), and a simple adapter (often sold along with the Memory Stick Duo) allows a Duo to be used in any device that can accept their larger cousins.

Memory Stick Micro M2

15.0 ? 12.5 ? 1.2 mm

In a joint venture with SanDisk, Sony announced a new Memory Stick format on 30 September 2005. The new Memory Stick M2 (“micro”) measures 15 ? 12.5 ? 1.2 mm and could theoretically have 32GB in the future. Maximum transfer speed is 160MB/s. It will come with an adaptor, much like the Duo Sticks, to ensure compatibility with current Pro devices.

Multi Media Card

mmc modules

MMC

32 ? 24 ? 1.5 mm

The MMC card or MultiMediaCard was introduced in 1997 by SanDisk Corporation and Siemens AG. At that point the MMC card was the smallest memory card, about the size of a postage stamp, in the market based on flash memory technology. The MMC card is very similar to the Secure Digital Memory Card, actually the SD Memory Card is based on the MMC card. They have almost the same form factor the only differences are that the SD Memory Cards are slightly thicker and they have a write protection switch.

Since the MMC card had slow transfer speed, 2.5 MB/sec, in comparison to other memory cards, mostly compared to SD Memory Card, a new high performance version of the MMC card was introduced in 2005 by the name MMCplus. The MMCplus has today the highest, up to 52 MB/sec, theoretical data transfer speed in the whole memory card industry.

The MultiMediaCard Association announced that by the end of 2005 the secureMMC application will be available only for the MMCplus and MMCmobile memory cards. The secureMMC is a copyright protection application that features DRM, Digital Rights Management, and VPN, Virtual Private Network, capabilities.

Reduced Size Multi Media Card
rss mmc and dv rs mmc

RS-MMC

16 ? 24 ? 1.5 mm

MMCmobile (RS-MMC)

RS-MMC, Reduced Size MultiMediaCard, was introduced in 2003 by the MultiMediaCard Association (MMCA) as the second form factor memory card in the MultiMediaCard family. The RS-MMC is a smaller version of the standard MMC card, approximately half in size, and was specifically designed to be used by mobile phones and other small portable devices.

Dual Voltage Reduced Size Multi Media Card

DV RS-MMC

16 ? 24 ? 1.5 mm

In 2005 the Dual Voltage (DV) RS-MMC was introduced. It is basically the same card like the standard RS-MMC but operates with dual voltage, 1.8V and 3.3V, leading to lower power consumption which contributes to longer lasting battery life for the host devices. The DV RS-MMC and the RS-MMC are completely compatible with each other but since some mobile phones, mostly from Nokia, only operate with 1.8V cards the regular RS-MMC will not work. We recommend to always buy the Dual Voltage RS-MMC for being sure your memory card will function with the electronic device.

MMCmicro Card

MMCmicro

12 ? 14 ? 1.1 mm

The MMCmicro, formerly known as S-CARD introduced by Samsung, was adopted and introduced in 2005 by the MultiMediaCard Association (MMCA) as the third form factor memory card in the MultiMediaCard family. MMCmicro is the smallest, about the size of a fingernail, memory card in the MultiMediaCard family and among the smallest in the world. It was specifically designed for being used in mobile phones and other small portable devices.

The MMCmicro memory card is available with an adaptor, MMCplus. This makes it not only compatible to all MMC and MMCplus slots but also to all SD Memory Card slots. It is important to keep in mind that music stored on MultiMediaCards my not be able to play back when inserted into a SD Memory Card slot due to the copyright protection features supported by the SD slots.

Since the MMCmicro is the latest memory card to be developed and introduced to the market it is not that compatible to many mobile phones and electronic devices yet. Still it is expected to be one of the memory card formats that will dominate in the mobile phone industry among the frontrunner microSD and the under development Memory Stick Micro.

Secure Digital Card

sd mini sd micro sd

SD

32 ? 24 ? 2.1 mm

The SD Memory Card or Secure Digital was introduced in 2001 by SanDisk Corporation, Matsushita (Panasonic) and Toshiba. The SD Memory Card was based on the MultiMediaCard, MMC, memory card standard and has almost the same form factor, the size of a postage stamp, the only differences are that the SD memory card is slightly thicker and has a write protection switch. Since MMC cards are thinner than SD Memory Cards they can be used in all SD Memory Card slots but not vice versa.

The SD Memory Card is today the most common used memory card. It can be found in most digital cameras, PDAs and in many other electronic devices. The SD Memory Card slots can be used for more than flash memory cards. The SDIO, Secure Digital In & Out, is the general name for the many expansion modules that can be found in the SD Memory Card?s form factor. SDIO modules can be inserted in the slot and be used for other functions like Bluetooth adapters, GPS receivers, digital cameras, TV tuners, etc

miniSD Card

miniSD

21.5 ? 20 ? 1.4 mm

The miniSD was introduced in 2003 by SanDisk Corporation in cooperation with Matsushita (Panasonic) and Toshiba. Later in that year the miniSD format was adapted by the SD Card Association as the second form factor memory card in the Secure Digital family. MiniSD is a smaller version of the SD memory Card format, about 60% smaller in volume, and offers the same benefits as the SD Memory Card expect of the writing protection switch.

MiniSD was designed specifically to be used in small portable electronic devices like digital cameras and mobile phones. But since all miniSD memory cards always come with a SD Memory Card adaptor, they are compatible to all SD Memory Card slots and thereby provide compatibility with the rapidly growing number of SD Memory Card compatible devices in the market.

MiniSD was the second, after SD Memory Card, memory card to be adapted by the SD Card Association, which today consists of three members. In 2005 the microSD was introduced as the third, and smallest, member of the Secure Digital family.

microSD Card also known as Transflash

?SD

11 ? 15 ? 1 mm

rashFlash, formerly known as T-Flash, was introduced by SanDisk Corporation in 2004 as the world?s smallest memory card, approximately the size of a fingernail. TransFlash was specifically designed for being used in mobile phones. Motorola was the first mobile phone manufacturer to adapt the TransFlash memory card standard.

In the 3rd quarter of 2005 TransFlash was adapted by the SD Card Association as the third form factor memory card in the Secure Digital family, after SD Memory Card and miniSD. After the adoption, TransFlash changed name to microSD. The microSD has exactly the same dimensions and specifications as the TransFlash and therefore both memory cards are completely compatible to each other.

Today the microSD is the most common used memory card in mobile phones and the SD Card Association?s objective is to make microSD a de facto memory card standard for all mobile phones. All TransFlash and microSD cards always come with a SD Memory Card adaptor, which makes them compatible to all SD Memory Card slots. The microSD is about 10% in size compared to SD Memory Card and about 30% compared to miniSD.

xD-Picture Card

20 ? 25 ? 1.7 mm

The xD-Picture Card was introduced in 2002 by Fuji Film and Olympus as a replacement to the older SmartMedia Card. It is produced exclusively by Toshiba and can be found branded only under the name of Fuji Film and Olympus.

The xD-Picture Card format was developed to be used in digital cameras and is more or less only used in Fuji Film and Olympus digital cameras. Like SmartMedia Card, the xD-Picture Card does not incorporate a controller chip which allows it to have a small form factor but at the same time making it dependable to the host device?s controller chip.

Samsung Unveils 3 Handsets

Samsung Unveils 3 Handsets SGH – X700, SGH – N 710 and SGH -X660.

Dec 13, 2005
Samsung has launched three new handsets – the samsung – X700, SGH – N 710 and SGH -X660.

The X700 is a 1.3 Megapixel, tri band, bar type phone, with advanced features like GPRS Class 10, Bluetooth /USB Connectivity, Stereo FM Radio, Video Recording and Messaging, External Memory (Trans Flash) and Mobile Printing. It is priced at Rs 14,699.

The SGH – N 710 is a light-weight bar phone weighing about 76 gm. This dual band, black and white phone is priced at Rs 3,199.

In the Folder category, Samsung has introduced the tri band, SGH – X660. This handset has features like video recording, photo caller ID, 8 MB memory, MP3 ring tones, Speaker Phone and VGA/CMOS camera. It is priced at Rs 8,599.

Samsung, recently also announced the launch of its 2 Megapixel, quad band SGH D-600 in the market. The phone includes features like file viewer, Bluetooth wireless sharing and mobile printing, PictBridge, TV output support, Sync ML DS, email client capabilities, USB 1.1 and TransFlash memory. A music player adds to its abilities with MP3/AAC/AAC+ as well as dual speakers for 3D sound and Bluetooth stereo headset compatibility. It is priced at Rs 23,999/-.

With the launch of these new handsets, Samsung now has around 18 models in the market, priced in the range Rs 3,199 to Rs 23,999

ROUTE 66 Mobile 7 for Nokia Series 60 Mobile Phones Launched in North America

ROUTE 66 today announces the launch of ROUTE 66 Mobile 7, marking a new era in GPS satellite navigation using mobile phones

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire/ — ROUTE 66 today announces the launch of ROUTE 66 Mobile 7, marking a new era in GPS satellite navigation using mobile phones. ROUTE 66 Mobile 7 determines its position using an advanced high sensitive wireless GPS receiver, guiding the user with turn-by-turn voice
instructions and on-screen directions to its destination. A new navigation display has been developed providing users with all vital travel information on a single clear screen of their mobile phone including 3D map display, turn arrows and navigation guidance, as well as the ability to dial points of interest directly from the map. In addition, ROUTE 66 Mobile 7 features the very latest maps, driving directions enhanced with upcoming exit signs and continued guidance when GPS reception is temporarily lost for example in
tunnels through ROUTE 66’s new Extrapolated GPS (E-GPS) technology. In summary, ROUTE 66 Mobile 7 is an ideal travel companion in the car, on your bike or simply when you are walking.

ROUTE 66 Mobile 7 is available immediately. The Full Navigation Kit contains all the maps for the US and Canada and is priced at US$ 299 / CAN$349.

Package contents:

— Memory card (512 MB DV RS-MMC Mobile)
— Navigation software, geographic maps and user manual (DVD)
— Memory card reader/writer
— ROUTE 66 wireless GPS receiver (SiRF Star III)
— ROUTE 66 lanyard
— In-car charger cable for GPS receiver
— Universal car mount for mobile phone
— Quick Start Guide
— Mobile phone NOT included in this pack

Compatibility:

ROUTE 66 Mobile 7 is compatible with all mobile phones featuring an external memory card slot (MMC Mobile), Bluetooth wireless technology and Symbian Series 60 operating system. This includes Nokia (3230, 6260, 6600,6620, 6630, 6670, 6680, 6681, 6682, 7610, N70, N80, N90, N91). ROUTE 66 Mobile 7 is NOT compatible with Sony Ericsson,Nokia Series 80/90 and Microsoft Mobile smartphones.

SOURCE ROUTE 66
Web Site: http://www.66.com

Indiagames To Ship EA Mobile Games in India

Electronic Arts EA and Indiagames, a mobile content publisher, have signed an exclusive licensing agreement that will bring EA mobile games to consumers across multiple mobile carriers in India.

Electronic Arts (EA) and Indiagames, a mobile content publisher, have signed an exclusive licensing agreement that will bring EA?s mobile games to consumers across multiple mobile carriers in India.

The games that will be initially released through Indiagames include Need for Speed Underground 2, Need for Speed Most Wanted, NBA LIVE 06, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 06, EA SPORTS FIFA 06, FIFA STREET 2, Madden NFL 06, SimCity and The Sims 2. Indiagames will release EA SPORTS FIFA 06 this year.

ea games logo Jon Niermann, President, EA Asia Publishing said, ?Indiagames is a key partner for us as we expand our business from packaged goods to mobile content in the burgeoning Indian marketplace. They have a strong technological infrastructure and share our passion for delivering top quality entertainment.?

?Indian consumers are quickly adopting a mobile lifestyle and we believe that this partnership will give people the opportunity to experience the fun and excitement of playing great games on their mobile phones,? maintained Niermann.

India games logo Vishal Gondal, CEO of Indiagames said, ?We are thrilled to bring such legendary and popular games to Indian audiences. We are convinced that thousands of Indian fans will enjoy the opportunity to experience these games on their mobile phones.?

via [TechShout]

EA Buys Jamdat for $680M

In an effort to expand its mobile gaming portfolio, Electronic Arts has announced that they will be acquiring Jamdat Mobile – the top publisher of wireless video games.

Jamdat is the publisher of such popular games as Tetris, Downtown Texas Hold ‘Em, and Bejeweled. The acquisition, expected to close in EA’s fiscal fourth quarter ending March 2006, will cost Electronic Arts US$27 a share, or $680 million USD total. The deal is an 18% premium over Jamdat’s Thursday closing price of US$22.77 a share.

Jamdat is based in Los Angeles, and has 350 employees across the globe.

via [red herring]

Nokia PC Suite version 6.7 available

The latest version of nokia pc suite for nokia mobile phones is available for free download at the nokia website

Latest Update: Version 6.7
?Manage your text messages and phonebook easily with File Manager
?Automatic notifications when a new version of PC Suite is available
?Improved back-up and Image Store features
?Released 07 December 2005

Homepage:

http://europe.nokia.com/nokia/0,,72014,00.html

Links:

http://nds2.nokia.com/files/support/global/phones/software/Nokia_PC_Suite_67_rel_21_eg_us.msi

http://nds2.nokia.com/files/support/global/phones/software/Nokia_PC_Suite_67_rel_21_eng.msi

http://europe.nokia.com/nokia/0,,72026,00.html

Nokia launches S60 3rd Edition Challenge for mobile developers

Nokia, the global leader in mobility, today announced the Forum Nokia S60 3rd Edition Challenge, a competition designed to drive development of innovative new mobile enterprise, music, location-based and Macromedia Flash applications for the S60 3rd Edition Platform.

NOKIA PRESS RELEASE December 8, 2005

Nokia launches S60 3rd Edition Challenge for mobile developers

Four Grand prize winners to each receive ?25,000, free Forum Nokia PRO membership; early entrants get free on-site technical consultancy, free Symbian-signed testing

Espoo, Finland – Nokia, the global leader in mobility, today announced the Forum Nokia S60 3rd Edition Challenge, a competition designed to drive development of innovative new mobile enterprise, music, location-based and Macromedia Flash applications for the S60 3rd Edition Platform.

Any company that creates mobile applications can compete for ?100,000 in grand prizes awarded for C++ and Flash applications for smartphone devices built by Nokia and other S60 licensees based on the S60 Developer Platform 3rd Edition. Grand prize winners in each of the four competition categories – mobile enterprise, mobile music, location-aware applications and Flash Lite(TM) mobile media applications — will receive ?25,000 each, plus free one-year membership to Forum Nokia PRO. Co-sponsored with Macromedia, the contest will also award top winners a demo spot at a Nokia event, free on-site technical support and consultancy, devices and additional marketing support from Nokia partner, Handango.

Providing developers with a consistent set of technologies, the S60 3rd Edition Platform supports new C++ Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) enabling a wide range of possibilities for creation of location-based applications, as well as several new Java Specification Request (JSR) APIs that allow applications that include scalable 2-D vector graphics, wireless messaging, robust security and authentication and other advanced application features.

Introduced in February 2005 at the 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, the S60 3rd Edition Platform enables developers to create “smarter” applications both in terms of better user experience and more efficient development, and offers an enhanced security model that provides better protection for valuable applications and content.

Forum Nokia S60 3rd Edition Challenge registration is open until Dec. 15, 2005 at http://mktools.forum.nokia.com/challenge. Registered contestants will receive notification by Dec. 31 of availability of the final S60 3rd Edition SDK. The first 25 companies to enter the competition will receive two technical support requests free-of-charge from Forum Nokia Technical Services and Consultancy, with Symbian providing the first 50 registrants with a free round of Symbian Signed Testing for mobile applications.

“We’ve invited all developer companies to register for the Forum Nokia S60 3rd Edition Challenge in order to open the doors as widely as possible to development of dynamic new C++ and Flash applications for the widely popular S60 platform,” said Lee Epting, vice president, Forum Nokia. “We’re anticipating competition among the best and most innovative applications being developed by the S60 community and the large global base of Macromedia Flash developers, who are now able to use the S60 platform to bring greater levels of performance and targeted features and applications to best-selling S60 smartphone devices.”

Contestants in the Forum Nokia S60 3rd Edition Challenge will submit the final versions of their mobile applications by March 31, 2006, with a shortlist of finalists announced April 28, 2006. Winners will be invited to the S60 World event in Cannes at end-May 2006, where the winners and prizes in each of the categories will be announced.

Submissions in the Enterprise applications category of the Forum Nokia S60 3rd Edition Challenge can include applications that give mobile workers real-time access to information and co-workers, create cost-efficiencies in management of mobile and enterprise communications hardware and networks or let business users find practical solutions to real-world problems.

Location-aware applications and services submissions can include any innovative, lucrative-to-consumer, easy-to-use standalone or client-server application, which uses maps and/or automated positioning (BT GPS, GPS, A-GPS, network based positioning) in the areas of search navigation and travel; gaming, music, entertainment, sports and outdoor activities; imaging and personal content; the enterprise and personal productivity.

The Mobile Music applications category is focused on applications for music consumers and can address the superior usability of a given music application, innovative playback or collection management features, combinations of various media and usage types, or consumer sharing of music play lists, experiences and information.

Submissions to the Flash category can include Macromedia Flash Lite(TM) applications using Flash mobile technology in the areas of gaming, media and entertainment; tutorials and interactive help; personal and enterprise productive; or experimental and other innovative mobile Flash applications.

Full details on categories, prizes and registration requirements for Forum Nokia S60 3rd Edition Challenge can be found at the competition website at: http://mktools.forum.nokia.com/challenge.

About Forum Nokia
Nokia’s global developer program, Forum Nokia connects developers to tools, technical information, support, and distribution channels they can use to build and market applications around the globe. From offices in the U.S., Europe, Japan, China, and Singapore, Forum Nokia provides technical and business development support to developers and operators to assist them in achieving their goal of successfully launching applications and services to consumers and enterprises. More information is available at http://www.forum.nokia.com/.

About Nokia
Nokia is a world leader in mobile communications, driving the growth and sustainability of the broader mobility industry. Nokia connects people to each other and the information that matters to them with easy-to-use and innovative products like mobile phones, devices and solutions for imaging, games, media and businesses. Nokia provides equipment, solutions and services for network operators and corporations.