The Invest in Germany Council is not so happy with Nokia’s decision of closing its Bochum facility especially because of the reason that Nokia has given of Bochum being less competitive. Continue reading “Update: Nokia German Facility closure”
Category: Manufacturers
News from Mobile Manufacturers
Mobile Projector courtesy 3M
Who does not know 3M? They are the guys who gave us products like the Post-It Notes, Scotch Brite etc. 3M’s products look simple and are used for even simpler tasks but the kind of innovation and technology that goes behind making those products is simply incomparable. Continue reading “Mobile Projector courtesy 3M”
Google SMS comes to India , still in beta
Google Phone or gPhone is expected to arrive anytime – this is a rumor for sure.
But some real news Google SMS debuts in India in beta mode.
Users need to send a text message to 54664 (5GOOG) . 5GOOG works only on a T9 keypad beware.
We checked the Weather in chennai and we got this response in the online demo.
Continue reading “Google SMS comes to India , still in beta”
Nokia and Vodafone to expand use of S60 as a standard platform
Vodafone and Nokia work together to increase the use of S60 as a standard software platform collaboration between Nokia and Vodafone expands the potential market for S60
NOKIA PRESS RELEASE February 13, 2006
Vodafone and Nokia work together to increase the use of S60 as a standard software platform collaboration between Nokia and Vodafone expands the potential market for S60
3GSM World Congress 2006, Barcelona, Spain/Espoo, Finland – Nokia Corporation and Vodafone have today announced that they are collaborating to strengthen the S60 software platform’s role in Vodafone’s device portfolio. The collaboration will help Vodafone to offer new services more quickly to its customers by increasing the use of S60 as a standard software platform for mobile handsets worldwide.
“Standardisation of handset software platforms across mobile phone manufacturers offers significant opportunities for Vodafone. We will be able to reduce time to market for new products and services and help customers take up new services more quickly. The fact that Nokia is developing the S60 platform in close co-operation with us further enhances our ability to offer innovative and consistent new services in a competitive and efficient way,” said Dirk Wierzbitzki, Deputy Director of Terminals, Vodafone Group.
S60 offers Vodafone the leading technologies in customization, extensive support for new mobile services, and the baseline for best in class user experience. S60 customization capabilities, proven by strong track record in satisfying operator needs, help Vodafone to differentiate their services and applications. Together with the S60 community, Vodafone will also be able to enhance user interfaces (UI) of mobile devices.
“We are very pleased with Vodafone’s choice of S60 as a preferred device software platform. This collaboration is an important step towards increased service differentiation and innovation speed for the whole industry. S60 platform offers a rich application suite, great extensibility and ease-of-use for multimedia, imaging and business services. High priority is given to the customization and application development needs of the operators,” said Matti V?nsk?, Vice President, Mobile Software Sales and Marketing, Nokia.
Nokia and Vodafone will develop a Vodafone-specific software complement on top of the S60 platform. The collaboration also includes the expansion of the licensee base and increased portfolio penetration through open roadmap governance and establishes a strong independent brand position for both the S60 software and the supporting developer activities. In addition, Nokia and Vodafone are working jointly to promote independently licensable reference designs from semiconductor vendors to enable shorter time to market for new S60 devices.
According to Nokia estimates, the total smartphone industry volume reached approximately 46.3 million units in 2005, compared to an estimated 20.6 million units in 2004. Nokia alone will have cumulatively shipped more than 50 million S60 enabled devices by the end of February 2006 (Nokia, February 2006).
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.
About S60
The S60 built on Symbian OS, is the leading smartphone software in the world and it is licensed by some of the foremost mobile phone manufacturers in the market. The flexibility of the S60 platform allows for various hardware designs and software configurations. This is demonstrated through the multitude of S60 devices already available on the market. Through its award-winning user interface, extensive support for new mobile services and the innovation potential for partner solutions, the S60 provides an open and scalable business opportunity for mobile operators and 3rd party developers. For further information about S60 news and community, please visit www.s60.com.
About Vodafone
Vodafone is the world’s largest mobile community, with equity interests in 26 countries and Partner Networks in a further 31 countries, serving over 179 million proportionate customers. Vodafone’s global consumer service offering, Vodafone live!, opens up a world of mobile colour
NOKIA launches new GPS module
NOKIA PRESS RELEASE February 10, 2006
Making Mobile Navigation more accessible: Nokia introduces location based services to mid-range portfolio, launches new GPS module
Espoo, Finland – Nokia today underlined its effort in making location based services available to a broad consumer base with the announcement of the Nokia GPS Module LD-3W, which is compatible with a wide selection of Nokia’s Bluetooth enabled handsets. By cooperating with several partners, Nokia provides comfortable and affordable navigation solutions that are now available for many of Nokia’s mid-range handsets.
“Location based services, such as navigation and point-of-interest search for hotels and restaurants are becoming increasingly popular with consumers,” says Aage Snorgaard, Senior Vice President, Mobile Phones, Nokia. “With the introduction of the Nokia GPS Module LD-3W and through our collaborations with navigation industry players such as Wayfinder and Telmap, we offer a compelling range of location based services to the tens of millions of consumers who have one of our highly popular mid-range models, such as the Nokia 6230i or the Nokia 6280.”
The most popular location based services for consumers have been integrated car solutions. Earlier, Nokia introduced navigation to its S60 devices. Now Nokia makes location based services accessible at a lower price point.
With a handset connected to the Nokia Wireless GPS Module LD-3W, consumers see their position with up to five meters accuracy, and the easiest route to their destination on a digital map provided by Wayfinder or Telmap. Once installed with the automatic settings configuration tool, users hold an extensive selection of digital maps right in their hand. The Nokia GPS module is expected to start shipping in the 1st quarter of 2006 and retail for approximately 110 EUR excluding taxes and subsidies.
Both the Nokia GPS Module LD-3W module and suite of navigation services will be demonstrated at the partner stands of Wayfinder and Telmap at the 3GSM 2006 Congress taking place in Barcelona from February 13-16.
Samsung introduced the fastest Micro- storage card
Today Samsung Electronics has announced its new storage card of MMCMicro format. It is positioned as the fastest Micro-card on the market
Today Samsung Electronics has announced its new storage card of MMCMicro format. It is positioned as the fastest Micro-card on the market. Its write speed achieves 7.12 Mbps, which is according to Samsung 3.5 as much compared with other Micro-cards available. It?s possible to write 20 5-megapixel images over 11 seconds, while other cards need 30 seconds or more for it.
Besides it carries 1 GB onboard. Samsung claims this capacity is enough to store 15 hours of video snapped by a cell phone. It supports 1.8 and 3.3 volt. Dimensions are 14x12x1.1 mm. There is an adapter to use these cards in ordinary MMC slots. The 1 GB MMCMicro card will appear in shops only in 3Q 2006.
via [mobile-review]
Sony Ericsson M600 3G phone and messaging device
Today Sony Ericsson announced their M600 3G phone – a slimmer and lighter version of the P990 model. Unfortunately Sony Ericsson M600 lacks a camera, Wi-Fi support and FM radio.
The new stylish tri-band device has touchscreen and handwriting recognition. The phone runs on Symbian OS 9.1 and UIQ 3.0 and is specified for email handling. Several email clients can be installed on the phone. The large dual function keyboard makes for easy messaging input and is also the keypad for number buttons. Bunch of office tools are also present in the M600. Anti-virus, firewall and encryption software are pre-installed on the device which has 80 MB internal memory. A 64 MB Memory Stick Micro (M2) is also included in the box. The M600 communicator has RSS feeds support, PowerPoint, Word and Excel editors and a PDF viewer. The mobile has standard connectivity options as Bluetooth, Infrared and USB 2.0 (via which can be charged). Audio/video streaming and MP3/AAC/ACC+/E-ACC+/m4a formats are supported.
The business orientated M600 UMTS phone has been scheduled for shipping in the Q2 2006.
Continue reading “Sony Ericsson M600 3G phone and messaging device”
Motorola introduce the Pink RAZR V3 in india
Motorola has introduced the Pink RAZR V3 – available through select lifestyle stores across 7 cities in the country. Like its predecessors, this new mobile features the RAZR slim shape, metallic finish and advanced technology.
Motorola has introduced the Pink RAZR V3 – available through select lifestyle stores across 7 cities in the country. Like its predecessors, this new mobile features the RAZR slim shape, metallic finish and advanced technology.
At 13.9 mm thin, 53 mm wide (the width of a credit card) and 98 mm long, the Pink RAZR V3 is one of the slimmest phones in the market. Motorola holds that it provides the user with a total sensory experience – from the innovative metallic finishes and use of materials to a truly revolutionary, chemically etched keypad created from a single sheet of nickel-plated copper alloy.
Lloyd Mathias, marketing director India, Motorola Mobile Devices said, “The new, bold-yet-chic color adds a sense of flair to the RAZR family. Building on the global success of the RAZR, Motorola’s customers want to lead the pack by owning exciting, fashion-forward and feature-rich mobile phones. The MOTORAZR Pink is the latest robust offering that empowers our customers to talk, message and download with style”.
The Pink RAZR V3, also known as the “Maria Sharapova RAZR”, is being introduced only as a limited edition and is being touted as a collector’s item.
The Motorola special-edition Pink RAZR V3 is priced at Rs 13,700.
Nokia to Open Source Python for S60 Source Code
Availability of Python for S60 source code via SourceForge.net to enable broader contribution to advancement of open-source mobile solutions and applications for leading smartphone platform
NOKIA PRESS RELEASE January 31, 2006
Nokia to Release Python for S60 Source Code to Open-Source Software Developer Community
Availability of Python for S60 source code via SourceForge.net to enable broader contribution to advancement of open-source mobile solutions and applications for leading smartphone platform
Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announced that it has taken a step further in support of mobile open-source software application development by agreeing to release the source code for its Python for S60 Platform software package to the global community of open-source software developers.
The agreement follows on last year’s launch by Nokia of the Python for S60 Platform, which enables programmers, ISVs and businesses worldwide to utilize the powerful Python programming language to execute Python commands and run Python scripts and applications on S60-based mobile devices.
The source code for Python for S60 Platform will be made available to the open-source software development community through SourceForge.net, which provides free hosting to open-source software development projects and is the world’s largest Open Source software development web site, hosting more than 100,000 projects and over 1,000,000 registered users with a centralized resource for managing projects, issues, communications, and code.
Nokia is contributing the core components of the Python for S60 software back to the open-source developer community in order to encourage developers to take advantage of the potential for open-source mobile applications development on the S60 Platform, the leading smartphone platform. Nokia is also continuing to contribute and work within the open source community in driving the Python for S60 technology forward.
“During the past year, the popular developer-friendly features of the Python open-source language have enabled growth of a dynamic community new to mobile development to write applications that are leveraging the potential of S60-based devices,” said Lee Epting, vice president, Forum Nokia. “Now, Nokia is extending its commitment to open-source software initiatives and hopes that its contribution of source code back to the Python developer community will drive further enthusiasm and innovations in the development of leading-edge open-source mobile solutions for the rapidly expanding smartphone market worldwide.”
“I was excited last year when Nokia announced its port of Python to its advanced phones. I’m even more excited now that Nokia is open-sourcing the port.” said Guido van Rossum, creator of the Python programming language and president of the Python Software Foundation. “Opening up the platform makes the phones accessible, and will inevitably lead to cool new applications, as well as to third-party improvements to the port itself.”
Nokia’s involvement with the Python open-source community began last year when Nokia made available the Python for S60 software package for free download from the website of Nokia’s global developer support community, Forum Nokia. The Python for S60 software package installs to a S60 platform-based device, enabling developers to create applications with the simple and consistent, object-oriented Python programming language.
Python for S60 is well-suited to the development of prototype and proof-of-concept applications, enabling development of commands, scripts and applications for S60-based mobile devices. The Python for S60 runtime can also be easily extended with dynamically loadable C++ modules, enabling developers to expose additional native device functionality to Python applications. Developers can execute Python commands using an interactive console in a S60-based device, accessible via the keypad or a remote connection to a PC over Bluetooth.
Using Python for S60, developers can write Python applications and install them to a S60-based device and the device can then run these applications from the Python environment. Python applications can also be developed to run as standalone applications with the selection of an icon from the device menu. Using Python for S60, developers also can execute Python commands and scripts in the emulators of S60 SDK’s.
The S60 platform, built on the Symbian OS, is the leading smartphone software in the world and it is licensed by some of the foremost mobile phone manufacturers in the market. The flexibility of the S60 platform allows for various hardware designs and software configurations. This is demonstrated through the multitude of S60 devices already available on the market. Through its award-winning user interface, extensive support for new mobile services and the innovation potential for partner solutions, the S60 provides an open and scalable business opportunity for mobile operators and 3rd party developers.
The source code for Python for S60 Platform will be posted by Nokia to SourceForge.net. Further information and a link to the project can be found by visiting http://opensource.nokia.com/.
About Python
Python is a powerful object-oriented programming language that is developed and maintained by a global community of open source developers under the oversight of the Python Software Foundation. Python is relatively easy to learn for programmers of other languages such as C, C++, Java, and Visual Basic, and can therefore assist programmer productivity. It is often characterized as an agile language that promotes speedy development and includes a unit-testing framework for building more robust applications. Python is often used in large system development to decrease software costs, and meet aggressive schedules. The language is the basis of applications used by tens of thousands of companies and organizations worldwide, and its user base is growing rapidly.
Nokia selected for 5-year Managed Services deal with Hutchison Essar Limited
Nokia has reached a 5-year managed services agreement to run Hutchison Essar’s network operations in 9 circles in India.
Espoo, Finland – Nokia has reached a 5-year managed services agreement to run Hutchison Essar’s network operations in 9 circles in India. Nokia will assume the operation of Hutchison Essar’s networks in Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Chennai, Uttar Pradesh (East and West), Rajasthan, Haryana and West Bengal, thus allowing the operator to better focus on its customers and core activities.
The agreement, for which documentation is being finalized, calls for Nokia to provide an array of solutions from its extensive services portfolio, including network planning, project management, configuration and optimization, network operations and maintenance and the administration of third party vendor contract management. Nokia will also welcome over 600 Hutchison Essar staff into its Services business unit.
“Nokia’s Managed Service know-how, plus its proven track record when it comes to operating and enhancing networks worldwide, were key drivers in helping us make this decision,” says Asim Ghosh, Managing Director, Hutchison Essar Limited. “We are happy to be working with a leader in this area.”
“We are delighted to extend our cooperation with Hutchison Essar to managed services,” says Rajeev Suri, Senior Vice President, Networks, Nokia. “The services business has become increasingly important for Nokia. Our managed services will improve Hutchison Essar’s cost structure and further enhance their service offerings.”
The contract deepens already strong ties between the two companies — Nokia is the supplier of GSM network equipment to nine of Hutchison Essar’s 13 circles, making it the largest network vendor for the operator.
Nokia’s Managed Services business is a key part of its Services business unit, and a core part of the company’s drive to help operators enhance their service offerings and reduce costs. To date Nokia has 36 managed services contracts in 28 countries, and it expects this figure to grow in the coming years.
Nokia’s operations in India include networks and terminals sales divisions, three Research and Development facilities and an upcoming manufacturing facility in Chennai that will produce both terminals and GSM infrastructure equipment.
Industry leaders unite to promote mobile TV technology
Intel, Modeo, Motorola, Nokia and Texas Instruments Working Together to Drive the Future of Mobile Entertainment
Las Vegas, NV, USA – Today, a group of the industry’s leading wireless and entertainment companies announced the formation of new organization created to promote the growth and evolution of Digital Video Broadcasting – Handheld (DVB-H), an open procedure standard for broadcast digital TV reception on mobile devices. The organization, called the Mobile DTV Alliance, includes representatives from Intel Corporation, Modeo [NYSE: CCI], Motorola [NYSE: MOT], Nokia [NYSE: NOK] and Texas Instruments (TI) [NYSE: TXN].
Nokia adds IBM Lotus Notes and Domino support to its mobile email portfolio
Nokia announced the addition of IBM Lotus Notes and Domino support to its mobile application platform, announced back in September 2005.
Nokia announced the addition of IBM Lotus Notes and Domino support to its mobile application platform, announced back in September 2005 ? Nokia Business Center. IBM Lotus Notes and Domino support will further complement the Business Center, which provides a combination of voice and business applications on a single device and allows a wide range of employees access to business-critical mobile email. Nokia Business Center is currently supported on more than ten Nokia smartphones and communicators. It is expected to be available to customers, equipped with IBM Lotus Notes and Domino support in the first quarter of 2006.
Source: Nokia
Nokia phones to send emergency alert
Nokia has applied to the U.S. Patent Trademark Office with its interesting development.
Nokia has applied to the U.S. Patent Trademark Office with its interesting development. It works in the following way. There is a special button installed to the phone, in case of emergency the user presses it to activate the process ? the phone camera takes and sends a series of time-stamped snapshots or video clips with sound to a service center or a friend. It the phone has a GPS-receiver it also stamps the message with location.
Transmission can be discrete, with the phone apparently off, or obvious to warn an abductor that a call for help has been sent. If it is impossible to send the info, the phone stores it in memory and automatically transmits it as soon as possible. The emergency call can be halted by entering a personal code, so accidental false alarms can be averted.
Should the company make this idea a reality, there will be less problems to call emergency service. When you try call for help, you need to explain the situation, and this idea will make it easier.
Samsung’s New 4GB SGH-i300x Musicphone
Samsung has announced an update to its SGH-i300 “Super Musicphone” – increasing the storage capacity of the built-in HDD from 3GB to 4GB.
The SGH-i300x shares the same design and features as its predecessor – tri-band GSM, 1.3MP camera w/flash, QVGA TFT LCD display, MPEG-4 / H.263 / H.264 / WMV video recording and playback, MP3 / AAC / AAC+ / WMA / ASF / WAV / WMA audio playback, 3.5mm earphone jack, stereo Bluetooth, MS Office / PDF Picsel viewer, Bluetooth / USB / IrDA connectivity, flight mode, microSD storage, and running Windows Mobile for Smartphones.
BenQ-Siemens launch first handsets: EF81, S68, & S88
BenQ Mobile today said it will focus on 3G and multimedia as its ships new handsets this year under the BenQ-Siemens brand.
According to engadget
It’s not exactly breaking hallowed ground at this point, but today BenQ-Siemens finally launched three three new devices — the EF81, S68, and S88 — thereby culminating in product form their acquisition/merger last year. Not surprisingly, the BS (we can call them that, can’t we?) EF81 is 0.6-inch thick 3G RAZR-competitor with a 1.3-inch 120 x 160 external display, and a 2.2-inch 262k color internal QVGA display, as well as 64MB RAM and MicroSD. The S68 is slightly less interesting with a 1.8-inch 132 x 176 display, Bluetooth, USB, EDGE, and 8MB of memory; the S88 (the black device above) at least features a two megapixel camera in addition to its 2-inch 176 x 220 262k color OLED display, MicroSD, and Bluetooth, though it only supports GPRS. So essentially the only phone you or we or anyone else will probably care anything about is the EF81, which is due to ship in March (where and for how much we don’t yet know)