Motorola's Z9 with GPS goes for a ride on AT&T

Just like we heard, AT&T is now offering Motorola's MOTO Z9. $150 (after $50 on-line discount and 2-yr contract) nabs the new slider with GPS for AT&T's rebranded TeleNav service -- now called AT&T Navigator. It's also stuffed with microSD expansion, stereo Bluetooth, and quad-band GSM with WCDMA 850/1900 supporting 3.6Mbps HSDPA data. Surprisingly, the 2 megapixel camera we saw in the early prototype last year has been whittled back to 1.3 megapixels. Come on Moto, what's 0.7 megapixels between friends?


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/01/motorolas-z9-with-gps-goes-for-a-ride-with-atandt/

Sony films headed to mobile phones

Sony Pictures Television is looking to launch the first movie network on mobile phones in the United States.

The studio has signed a deal with AT&T and MediaFLO USA to launch the linear channel as one of two exclusive channels coming to the newly announced AT&T Mobile TV with FLO service in May.

The channel, to be known as PIX, will be stocked with such titles as "Ghostbusters," "Philadelphia" and "Stand by Me."

Mobile has been viewed mostly as a marketing platform for theatricals in the U.S. With the domestic mobile video category for even shortform clips lagging behind markets in Europe and Asia, Sony is looking to entice viewers with more diverse content offerings.

"What you see a lot on the carrier decks is promotional content that people can snack a little on," said Eric Berger, vp mobile entertainment at Sony Pictures Television. "There's nothing currently there as deeply entertaining as these movies."

Films have been made available on handsets on an on-demand basis. Sony was one of several studios that contributed titles to content aggregator MSpot, which teamed with Sprint to launch MSpot Movies in 2006.

Sony always has been bullish on films via mobile. The studio also was the first in the U.S. to embed full-length titles on memory cards for handsets.

Although the prospect of viewers sitting in front of a two-inch screen for two hours seems dim, Berger noted that the objective isn't to keep people watching for the duration of a film.

"We recognize that people are on the go with their mobile phone and coming and going," he said. "This isn't for people looking to view a movie for the first time. It's OK to miss the beginning."

With AT&T on board, PIX will be available on the biggest mobile provider in the U.S., though the company has yet to disclose the price of the FLO tier. With PIX a part of FLO, Sony allows AT&T to differentiate its service from Verizon Wireless, which has been carrying FLO for the past year.

PIX will be available alongside nonexclusive mobile channels including NBC, CBS, ESPN and Nickelodeon, which offer altered forms of their traditional linear programming lineups via multicast transmission.

Sony is negotiating with other U.S. carriers to carry PIX but did not divulge which specific companies are in discussions. As for pricing, each distribution partner likely will use a different business model. For instance, PIX could end up ad-supported on one carrier while free of commercials on another that will charge an extra fee.

Sony eventually might convert PIX to an on-demand model and might take the brand online as well. The full-length linear strategy is just one of many different content plays with which the studio is experimenting. "We're not doubling down and saying it's only about longform," Berger said. "We'll continue to do innovative things in the shortform universe as well."

Films will run on PIX for a month, with additions coming weekly. Other titles coming to PIX include "Memento," "The Karate Kid," "Layer Cake," "Resident Evil" and "Roxanne."


Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080331/tc_nm/sony_dc

LG's 5.1 megapixel OZ: a Casio W53CA hides behind the curtain

Well lookie here, LG just announced a followup to its LH2300 Touch Web phone. This one's for the twisty-fold clamshell fans -- a design which makes it look positively Japanese superphone-like. In fact, we're pretty sure it's just the Casio W53CA with LG branding and new Hello UI for Korean consumption. Interesting given that Korea certainly isn't lacking in mega-spec'd phones. Anyway, given the Exilim underpinnings it's no surprise to find a 5.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, 28-mm lens, color correction, 9-point auto focus, and built-in anti-shake technology bunged into the backside. The LCD measures 2.8-inches (down from the LH2300's 3-inch LCD) yet still manages the same 800 x 480 pixel resolution for DMB television and landscape or portrait web browsing. Inside the little 18.9-mm thin handset you'll find 4GB NAND / 1GB SDRAM and microSD expansion for all your snaps and VGA / 30fps video. Coming to a 3G, CDMA network near you in April... just long as you live in South Korea or Japan.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/25/lgs-5-1-megapixel-oz-a-casio-w53ca-superphone-behind-the-curta/

LG to launch its wide Touch Web phone 'LG-LH2300'

LG Electronics announced the launch of its Touch Web phone ‘LG-LH2300’ in Korea market, which features a 3-inch wide full touchscreen LCD with 800 x 480(Wide VGA) resolution.

Delivering full Internet browsing service, the Touch Web phone adopts Quick Search Icon providing direct access to main portals, Internet hot key and jog wheel.

Other features included a 3M camera with auto focus, T-DMB, Bluetooth 2.0, and Micro SD memory slot. It is expected to be available in early April for between 600,000(KRW) and 700,000(KRW).


Source: http://aving.net/usa/news/default.asp?mode=read&c_num=77465&C_Code=01&SP_Num=0

I-Coloured Mobile's ZJ268 offers 666 days of wicked standby

Ugh, what have we started? After showing you that Chinese cellphone with a reported 1-year standby, Solomobi returns with yet another dubious discovery from China. How does 666 days of standby tickle your noxious, soul-eating fancy? This dual-SIM, GSM900 / DCS1800 candybar with 3.0-inch display is said to achieve that milestone with the help of a 32,800mAh "super battery." Yours now for $128 and the blood of one fetal goat. We've got the phone on order and will get back to you in 616 665 666 two years with the results... right. Picture of the 87 x 51 x 10-mm / 0.12-kg lithium battery and the devil's own credit card after the break.


Source:http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/20/i-coloured-mobiles-zj268-offers-666-days-of-wicked-standby/

The world's most expensive iPhone

Austrian luxury designer and jeweler Peter Aloisson has something more to add to his kitty – ladies and gentlemen, presenting to you the Aloisson designed iPhone – the world’s most expensive iPhone. While diamond studded phones are nothing new, the only thing the iPhone Princess Plus has to its credit is being the most expensive iPhone. The phone derives its name from the Princess cut used on 138 of the 318 diamonds on its surface. The rest of the 180 diamonds on the phone are brilliant cut and it has 17.75 carats of diamonds set in 18k white gold around its rim. All diamonds used are of the best quality.

This iPhone Princess Plus has a price tag of €120,000 ($176,400 USD) its first customer is a Russian businessman who had pre-ordered it way back in October 2007 for January 2008 delivery. And if you can’t afford this, the poorer lot can buy the iPhone set only with brilliant-cut diamonds. This can be purchased for the more “modest sum” of €45,000 ($66,150 USD).

Source: http://www.luxurylaunches.com/gadgets/the_worlds_most_expensive_iphone.php

Voice Free Cellphone Technology Developed

If you spend an inordinate of time obliviously chatting away on your cellphone in public (you know who you are), everyone else in the world would love it if you could teach yourself how to use Audeo, a combination of software and hardware that picks up nerve signals on the way to your vocal cords. Audeo translates the nerve signals into the words you’re thinking about saying, and then a computer voice says the words for you. For the system to be effective, all you have to do is learn how to instruct your body to say things without your body actually saying anything, which is tricky, but possible.

Of course, Audeo is not actually designed for annoying cellphone users. Rather, it’s being developed for people who have lost the ability to speak due to neurological diseases like ALS (interestingly, the same disease that this robot is designed to assist with). The system isn’t able to recognize words at this point. From what I understand, it matches a pattern of nerve signals to one of 150 different words or phrases. The developers are working on a more universal version, which will be able to interpret the nerve signals of individual phonemes, which are the individual sounds that make up words. It won’t be especially fast or easy, but users will be able to construct whatever words they want, effectively replacing physical speech.

Source: http://www.ohgizmo.com/2008/03/14/voice-free-cellphone-technology-developed/

Iphone to go x86

The Iphone is going to go x86 in a year or two, and Moorestown is set to be the lead vehicle. A year of whispers was finally nailed down a few days ago with a comment and a slide.

First let me say that the rumour mill has been running amok since the launch of the Iphone, all based on rabid speculation. The same people who told the Inq about Apple going Intel before it happened are now saying Ix86phone. Still, multiple rumour sources are not enough, we need more evidence.


Look at the bottom corner

At CeBIT, we got the final piece of the puzzle, check out the slide here. Note the part in the red circle. Is that what it looks like?

Iphone closeup

Yup, it is what you think it is. Intel will have their usual hissy-fit when this is published, but we have source after source telling us that it will happen,so we will go with that. If you are going to buy an Iphone, wait. If you get one now, you will do what happens with any first gen Apple device, hate yourself when the real one comes out soon. Then again, if you are dumb enough to buy one in the first place, you probably will feel honoured to spend more on the new one.

If you are wondering what the Moorestown launch device is, this is a good bet, although others may trickle out before or after.

Save your pennies boys and girls, the Iphone3 is going to be pretty nice, if a bit fascistic. µ

Source: http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/03/12/iphone-x86

Chinese LionKing800 cellphone claims 1-year standby

We have no way to confirm the claim, nevertheless the LionKing800 boasts a remarkable 365 days standby or 3-5 days talk. The source of that power is a 16,800mAh lithium battery -- that's about 10x the juice of a standard cellphone battery. Take that Philips! As to the rest of the specs, the GSM900 / DCS1800 dual-SIM phone costs $145 and packs a 3.5-inch, 320 x 240 pixel display, 256MB of microSD memory, Bluetooth 2.0, and a pair of rear and front-facing cameras into a 120 x 65 x 20-mm shell. Picture of the battery after the break.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/13/chinese-lionking800-cellphone-claims-1-year-standby/

Asus M536 smartphone added to the ranks

Got the Eee PC? The accessories? Put your name down for the 9 inch version? Well then you may need the newly announced M536 smartphone. Recently shown at CeBIT, the M536 is a flashy device with a 2.4-inch screen that features Wi-Fi, GPS and HSDPA, so you can send data at an adequate speed (although if you live in Britain you may face some crippling phone bills).

Under the bonnet, it runs Windows Mobile 6.1 and has 256MB of internal memory. Alas, the large shape of the handheld may be a bit cumbersome for some. We’ll just have to wait and see. The M536 will most likely by staying over in Europe and not be landing in the US anytime soon, and as of now there has not been mention of pricing.

Source: http://www.gadgetell.com/tech/comment/asus-m536-smartphone-added-to-the-ranks/

Nokia to Support Microsoft Silverlight Web Video

Nokia said on Tuesday it would add support to Microsoft's Silverlight Web video technology to millions of its handsets, in the latest deal between the two technology giants.

The world's top cell phone maker Nokia said Silverlight would first be available for S60 software platform, used in more advanced phones, but later also for S40, which is used in many of Nokia's cheaper phones.

Nokia's S60 software, built on UK-based mobile phone software firm Symbian's operating system, is used extensively in Nokia's line-up, but also in advanced cell phones of LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics.

The S60 is used in every second smartphone sold globally, and is in more than 150 million phones sold so far.

Its closest rival is Microsoft's own Windows Mobile, with just over 10 percent of the market.

In 2005 the two companies signed their first co-operation agreement to put Windows Media player on to Nokia phones, raising eyebrows as the two had been fierce competitors in the mobile software industry.

As cell phone prices fall, handset vendors are looking for new revenue from potentially lucrative software operations, while Microsoft is looking for new revenue from the mobile space.

In 2007 Nokia also started to use Microsoft's copy protection software PlayReady and added access to Windows Live services to its cell phones.

Silverlight is a rival to Adobe System Inc's Flash technology.

"We continue to support Flash and several other technologies," Nokia spokesman Mark Durrant said.


Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSL0488272820080304?feedType=RSS&feedName=technologyNews

Microsoft phone makes in-call lookups easier

The latest mobile-phone research from Microsoft may be bordering on bizarre, but it does something we don't normally associate with the Redmond leviathan by turning a familiar technology practically on its head.

Patrick Baudisch of Microsoft Research is currently tackling that perennial problem of retrieving information from a phone when you're already using it to make a call.

Hang on a minute...

Instead of breaking off the conversation to access an onscreen schedule, he wants to use audio feedback to allow the phone to quickly reveal the information without interrupting the call.

The 'blindSight' prototype phone he has built looks like an upside-down handset and features buttons on the rear side of where the screen would normally be. This makes them easy to press with the hand that holds the phone during a call.

Hands-free anyone?

As for what those presses achieve, that's where things get a little sketchy. Baudisch's demo video shows how requests for data made through certain button pushes result in a sequence of ticks and beeps that describe busy and free slots on the schedule.

It's a nice idea, especially as only one end of the call can hear the audio feedback, but it does seem that focusing on and deciphering the sequence of sounds might require one to, well, stop talking and concentrate.

The world will find out more at the Computer-Human Interaction conference in Italy in April.

Source: http://www.tech.co.uk/gadgets/phones/mobile-phones/news/microsoft-phone-makes-in-call-lookups-easier?articleid=1853583466

Toshiba's 815T PB on Softbank threatens humanity

We kind of wish this was fake -- and we're tentatively overjoyed that it's not -- but we can't help but feeling a little freaked at the Toshiba 815T PB on Softbank, developed to coincide with a new show featuring (you guessed it) robo-phones called Ketai Sousakan 7. Yeah yeah, QVGA, 3G, 3.2 megapixel camera, that's all well and good, but our latent fear of cellphone brain cancer kind of just went out the window.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/27/toshibas-815t-pb-on-softbank-threatens-humanity/

Sony debuts A820, A720 and S710F series Walkman players in the States

Remember all that Walkman hotness that Sony hit Japan with last week? Well, as anyone might've guessed, it's headed Stateside soon for your earbud consumption. In addition to the new NWZ-A820 series flagship (pictured), Sony has the NWZ-A720 series, which cops the looks and specs, but loses the Bluetooth of the A820 players. Both players have roughly 10 hours of video battery life, and 36 hours for audio, with 2.4-inch QVGA screens and capacities ranging from 4GB to 16GB. Meanwhile, the new NWZ-S710F skimps on the sexy looks, and only sports a 1.8-inch QVGA screen, but adds built-in noise canceling. Codec support for all the players includes protected WMA, unprotected AAC, MP3 and H.264 video. The full model rundown is as follows, everything will be available in March:

• NWZ-A828K - 8GB, black, Bluetooth, DR-BT21G Bluetooth wireless headphones, $270
• NWZ-A829 - 16GB, black, Bluetooth, $320
• NWZ-A726 - 4GB, black and pink, $150
• NWZ-A728 - 8GB, black and pink, $200
• NWZ-A729 - 16GB, black, $300
• NWZ-S716F - 4GB, silver, red and black, $150
• NWZ-S718F - 8GB, black, $200

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/26/sony-debuts-a820-a720-and-s710f-series-walkman-players-in-the-s/

Buy Palm's TX, Get Palm Z22 Free, Finally

If you have been debating whether to purchase a Palm TX for the last three years, your amazingly long uncertainty period has paid off; you now get a free Palm Z22 with every Palm TX purchased. You may very well say that you care more about Angelina's adoption plans, and if you did, we'd be inclined to agree with you. Be that as it may, the Z22 usually retails for $99, and that is a great deal nonetheless. If you belong to that rare breed of failed stockbrokers that actually have friends; what the hell are you waiting for?


Source: http://gizmodo.com/359526/buy-palms-tx-get-palm-z22-free-finally

AT&T Palm Centro Official

The Palm Centro is losing its Sprint only roots and going to AT&T for $99 after rebate with a two year contract. That's the Glacier White color combo, and in a month there'll be an Obsidian Black version. It's essentially the same phone that Sprint offers, but this is a quad band GSM version with EDGE (no 3G.) I don't like the ads which try to portray the OS as somehow radically changed from business to social phone, but it's still a good deal for $99.


Source: http://gizmodo.com/357945/att-palm-centro-official

PICTURES: Sony XPERIA X1 Runs Windows Mobile 6.1

n addition to being Sony's latest Smartphone, the XPERIA X1 runs the yet to be released Windows Mobile 6.1 OS and is powered by a "Qualcomm 7200A CPU running at 528 MHz." Video after the break.

The 528 MHz processor has us excited, but with it being Windows Mobile, we'll be surprised if the onboard RAM doesn't prove itself to be insufficient for heavy multitasking


Source: http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/pictures-sony-xperia-x1-runs-windows-mobile-6-1-video-