Vertu Signature Dragon to spit fire on your pockets

Back in 2006, Vertu unveiled its limited edition Signature Cobra handset and exactly after two years, the luxury mobile phone maker wants to impress us with the Signature Dragon. As far as design is concerned, there looks to be nothing new except that this time, the cobra on the phone has been replaced with a dragon done in precious stones. This dazzling phone is on display at the Vertu store in the Wynn hotel, Las Vegas. Similar to the Vertu Signature Cobra, the Signature Dragon hasn’t been listed on the company’s website. Considering the fact that the Signature Cobra was priced at $310,000, we must expect the new Vertu Signature Dragon luxury phone to come with a real hefty price tag. Is someone talking about the credit crunch?

World’s smallest mobile phones (Photos)

The recent trends have made it clear that people are more inclined towards huge touchscreen phones than small run-of-the-mill handsets. Still, there are a few who might not be fond of carrying big handsets in their pockets. Here we have a list of smallest mobile phones we’ve come across till date. Check them out..

Neoi 906E

Dimensions: 54 x 83 x 10 mm

Weight: 88 grams

Sony Ericsson Xmini

Dimensions: 44 x 75 x 18 mm

Weight: 75 grams

Xun Chi 138

Dimensions: 67.3 x 32.9 x 19.2 mm

Weight: 55 grams

Modu phone

Dimensions: 72.1 x 37.6 x 7.8 mm

Weight: 40.1 grams

Neo 808i

Dimensions: 65 x 40 x 13 mm

Weight: 90 grams

Pantech C3

Dimensions: 69 x 43 x 19.3 mm

Weight: 68 grams

Pantech C3b

Dimensions: 69 x 43 x 20.3 mm

Weight: 71 grams

Neonode N2

Dimensions: 77 x 47 x 14.7 mm

Weight: 70 grams

Haier Elegance

Dimensions: 90 x 35 x 17.8 mm

Weight: 64 grams

LG Migo

Dimensions: 82 x 46 x 22 mm

Weight: 70 grams

NEC N930

Dimensions: 85.5 x 54 x 11.9 mm

Weight: 72 grams

Samsung card Phone II

Dimensions: 86 x 54 x 8.5 mm

Weight: 75 grams

[via cellphonebeat]

Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte Premium Mobile Phone: Timeless Design

Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte, a new premium mobile phone that marries the timeless design of the Nokia 8800 Arte range with materials that reflect a new exclusivity based on refinement and authenticity. Engineered from carbon fibre, titanium, polished glass and stainless steel, the Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte is for individuals who appreciate uncompromised high performance.

Carbon fibre is an ultra light and strong material that expresses a woven pattern that is both high-tech and sensuous. Custom built to ensure the precision engineering that these materials require, the Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte features 3D patterns that express the inherent performance and lustre of carbon fibre.

Combining timeless style with superb functionality, the Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte offers the unique tap-for-time feature - consumers can tap the steel surface below the display twice and a clock appears on the screen. Background images organically change during the day, giving a unique appearance to the display. The turn-to-mute silencing mechanism allows individuals to silence incoming calls in a discrete manner by turning the phone over, screen-side down.

In addition to the 3G capabilities and 3.2 megapixel auto focus camera and high quality audio, the Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte boasts a stunning OLED display and built-in memory that has been expanded from previous offerings in the range to 4 GB. Meanwhile, Nokia's anti-fingerprint coating reduces smudges on metal and glass and unsightly outer seams are hidden by a unique all-in-one microUSB connector.

Enhancing the experience, the Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte is delivered with an exclusive range of accessories. These include a Bluetooth touch-sensitive volume control headset, a stylish desk stand and a beautiful leather carrying case.

The Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte will be available in the 3rd quarter of 2008 with an estimated retail price of EUR 1,100 exclusive of subsidies and taxes.

[Source]

Nokia Morph concept mobile phone

Morph, a joint nanotechnology concept, developed by Nokia Research Center (NRC) and the University of Cambridge (UK) - was launched alongside the "Design and the Elastic Mind" exhibition, on view from February 24 to May 12, 2008, at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. Morph features in both the exhibition catalog and on MoMA's official website. Elements of Morph might be available to integrate into handheld devices within 7 years, though initially only at the high-end. However, nanotechnology may one day lead to low cost manufacturing solutions, and offers the possibility of integrating complex functionality at a low price.

Future Nokia mobile phones
Morph is a concept that demonstrates how future mobile devices might be stretchable and flexible, allowing the user to transform their mobile device into radically different shapes. It demonstrates the ultimate functionality that nanotechnology might be capable of delivering: flexible materials, transparent electronics and self-cleaning surfaces. Dr. Bob Iannucci, Chief Technology Officer, Nokia, commented: "Nokia Research Center is looking at ways to reinvent the form and function of mobile devices; the Morph concept shows what might be possible".

Cambridge UK laboratory
Dr. Tapani Ryhanen, Head of the NRC Cambridge UK laboratory, Nokia, commented: "We hope that this combination of art and science will showcase the potential of nanoscience to a wider audience. The research we are carrying out is fundamental to this as we seek a safe and controlled way to develop and use new materials."

Nanotechnology
Professor Mark Welland, Head of the Department of Engineering's Nanoscience Group at the University of Cambridge and University Director of Nokia-Cambridge collaboration added: "Developing the Morph concept with Nokia has provided us with a focus that is both artistically inspirational but, more importantly, sets the technology agenda for our joint nanoscience research that will stimulate our future work together."

Nokia Morph flexible phone concept
The partnership between Nokia and the University of Cambridge was announced in March, 2007 - an agreement to work together on an extensive and long term programme of joint research projects. NRC has established a research facility at the University's West Cambridge site and collaborates with several departments - initially the Nanoscience Center and Electrical Division of the Engineering Department - on projects that, to begin with, are centered on nanotechnology.

Source: LetsGoMobile

10 Apps To Have For Your Symbian S60 Phone

Nokia’s E series and N Series phones are attractive options for mobile phone consumers. Nokia openly goes after other handset makers and telcos for crippling features and stripping out functionality such as fully enabled Bluetooth, Wi-Fi access and so on. Nokia and their use of the Symbian operating system create a fertile ground for mobile application developers.
We, the users, benefit by getting highly functional and useful applications that enhance our mobile phone experience. Below are some of the best applications for taking advantage of all your Nokia phone has to offer.

1) Gmail — Gmail for Mobile is a fantastic Java-based application for accessing your Google Mail account on your mobile phone. They’ve made a great effort to use numeric keypad shortcuts to easily manage your mail. Though it’s a little buggy, overall it’s a great Gmail extension for your mobile phone.

2) GooSync – Your Symbian S60 phone has a calendar application, but what if you use Google Calendar as your main calendar? There are a few open source options for syncing the two, but when it comes to easily doing two-way sync, GooSync is the way to go. GooSync gives users two options: a free account and a pay account, with the main differences being that the pay account allows you to sync up to 365 days in advance and syncs your Gmail contacts as well.

3) Qik — If you’re familiar with Justin.tv, you’ve seen life-casting. Now you can conduct live Net broadcasts directly from your Symbian phone using Qik, a tool that utilizes the Nokia handset’s camera and either the cellular data connection or a Wi-Fi data connection. Using it over an EDGE data connection will cause video lag, but Qik streaming over Wi-Fi is very cool. If I’m filming something on my Nokia phone on Qik, I can see comments that viewers leave on the Qik web site as they’re entered.

4) Jaiku — A presence application similar to Twitter, Jaiku differs with features that include threaded conversations and topic-based channels. Jaiku has embraced the Nokia S60 operating system and has launched a native application to enable you to view friend’s Jaikus and post your own. Also if a Jaiku friend has the S60 client installed, you can see when they were last on their phone and where in the world they’re currently located. It’s also possible to see other Jaiku contacts that are in close proximity to you on the Symbian Jaiku client.

5) Fring — A multi-protocol IM client that currently supports AIM, Skype, Yahoo, MSN, Google Talk and Twitter, and features a SIP client. Fring seamlessly uses your data connection to allow you to IM or call contacts if they are on Google Talk or Skype. Fring also recently launched a feature that allows you to send files over Wi-Fi and 3G connection to your contacts. Very cool.

6) Nokia Sports Tracker — Using the N95’s built-in GPS module, Nokia Sports Tracker is a beta application that allows runners, walkers and cyclists to track and keep statistics of their workouts. Users can see stats such as average speed, total distance, altitude, and so on. Also, you can export your workouts into a KML file and map your workout routes in Google Earth. In addition, Nokia created a Facebook application that allows you to compare your workout details with your social circle.

7) Handy TaskMan — Sometimes you want to peek under the hood of your Symbian phone. Perhaps you want to see how memory much is left, or you’d like to see detailed information on all the running applications. Handy Taskman is the utility that gives you all this information and more. Additionally, if you have an application or task that is you want to easily terminate, Handy Taskman will allow you to exit the application with the click of a button.

8) ShoZu — The Nokia NSeries phones are made to create digital content, including great-looking videos and photos. But how to easily get all these media items onto your favorite media-sharing web service? Whether you want to upload video to YouTube/Blip.tv or put photos up on Flickr/SmugMug, ShoZu is the application for you. ShoZu lets you tag, categorize, and upload your media to these popular service providers in the background, and allows you to send a text message or surf the web in the process.

9) Nokia Podcasting — How do you manage your podcast library? Most people use iTunes or a Juice receiver. But wouldn’t it be great to manage your podcasts directly on the device you’re using to listen to them? With the Nokia podcasting application you can add, delete and manage your podcast subscriptions. In fact, you can download directly to the Nokia Symbian mobile phone over either Wi-Fi or your phone’s data connection. The functionality is very convenient, especially if you like being able to manage your podcast subscriptions without having to interface with your computer.

10) Google Maps — As a mobile warrior, I’m constantly finding myself in need of a map. Google Maps is by far the best mapping application. And it recently released a native Symbian application, allowing it to not only mesh well with the Symbian look and feel but creating a fast, seamless mobile map experience. Google Maps also features My Location, which is a poor man’s GPS, using cell phone triangulation to show your approximate location on a map. This is exceptionally handy if you’re trying to draw easy directions on the go or find a pizza place within a few miles of your current location.

Source

Nuvifone by Garmin: hands-on at MWC

If there was one phone Vincent was particularly looking forward to seeing at the Mobile World Congress, it’s Garmin’s nuvifone. Remember, this is the handset that takes Garmin’s GPS sat-nav know-how and slaps it into a 3.5-inch touchscreen fronted HSDPA smartphone, complete with WiFi and an OS described as “effortless”. Well, he’s got his wish - we’ll have hands-on video of the nuvifone later on today, but for now enjoy these exclusive photos.

via Phone Mag

Mobile Phone Software that Reads to the Blind developed

Day in and day out we keep reporting about innovative technologies. From groundbreaking mobile phones with fold-out displays to gigantic Plasma HDTVs to revolutionary contact lens, 2008 has witnessed a flurry of mind-blowing technologies just within a month’s time. But this time around that aptly define novel technology, and is truly for a good cause.

Technology futurist Ray Kurzweil and the National Federation of the Blind have got together to develop the “the smallest text-to-speech reading device in history.”

K-NFB Reading Technology is a joint initiative between Kurzweil Technologies Inc. of Wellesley Hills, Mass. and the Maryland-based National Federation of the Blind developing reading software for text-to-speech devices. The technology will be installed on the Nokia N82 mobile phone, which will most probably operate in a Symbian OS. This technology will give users the ability to take pictures of text and then convert the text into audible speech. In the past, the National Federation of the Blind has installed the technology on digital assistants, however this time the first time that it would be embedded in a mobile phone.

This new piece of technology will not only enable the visually impaired to hear the content of the documents, but will also facilitate individuals with learning disabilities or dyslexia to enlarge, read, track, and highlight printed materials with the help of the handset’s large display, noted the National Federation of the Blind.Ray Kurzweil, President and CEO of K-NFB Reading Technology, Inc. said, “Technology that enlarges the printed word or converts it to speech has dramatically improved the lives of millions of Americans with many types of disabilities, enabling them to read and comprehend printed materials to which they never before had access.” Adding, “This innovation has created opportunities disabled people had never considered before due to the large amounts of reading required in certain occupations. The first machine of this type was the size of a washing machine. As optical character recognition technology is integrated into smaller and smaller devices, access to print becomes available almost instantaneously.”

In addition, the knfbREADER Mobile also incorporates all the other key features built into the N82, such as music playback, an integrated GPS receiver, wireless communication, an in-built 5MP autofocus camera, Web and email access. Calendaring and task management features are also packed in.

While the Nokia N82 mobile phone is priced at around $500, the software will cost around $1,595.

In the recent past companies have developed devices and services for the visually impaired that are sure to get them out of the constricted world of Braille on mere paper. While Microsoft and Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) Consortium are in the works of rolling out a standards-based project that would allow visually impaired or print-disabled users to work on computer systems; Yahoo! India made services accessible to the visually disabled. IBM and Google are also not way behind. Apart from the leaders, several other companies have made life simpler for them by introducing things like “Seeing” shoes, special cameras etc.



Via gizmodo.com

Nokia - The Godzilla of the Global Mobile Phone Business

It's appropriate that Nokia's mobile-handset products are featured prominently in the new film Cloverfield, in which a giant monster flattens New York while gobbling up cast members along the way. That's because in the real world, Nokia has emerged as the Godzilla of the global mobile-handset business, devastating the competition and dining on their market share on its way to dominance.

In the fourth quarter of 2007, Nokia's global mobile-handset shipments amounted to 133.5 million units, up 19.5 percent from 111.7 million in the third quarter of the year, giving the Finnish wireless behemoth a 39.5 percent share of the market.

Putting Nokia's performance into perspective:

• No.1 ranked Nokia achieved the highest rate of sequential growth among the Top-5 mobile-handset suppliers in the fourth quarter of 2007, even beating the impressive 18.9 percent rise by No.4 supplier Sony Ericsson.
• Nokia's unit shipments rose by 21.8 million sequentially in the fourth quarter, 1.6 times the combined increase of 14.1 million units for the other Top-5 mobile-handset brands.
• With a 19.5 percent sequential increase in unit shipments in the fourth quarter, Nokia outgrew the global mobile-handset market's rise of 15.4 percent by 4.2 percentage points, when accounting for rounding.
• Nokia's 39.5 percent market share in the fourth quarter almost equaled the 41.9 percent combined shares of the four other Top-5 mobile-phone makers.

"With its mammoth market share and gargantuan growth, Nokia truly is the monster of the mobile-handset business," said Tina Teng, analyst, wireless communications, for iSuppli.

For the full year of 2007, Nokia shipped 437.1 million mobile phones and attained a commanding 38 percent market share. This was nearly three times the 14 percent share of Nokia's closest competitor for the year: Samsung Electronics. The Finnish company outperformed the mobile-handset industry in 2007 with 26.5 percent annual growth, compared to 16.5 percent for the entire industry.

To explain Nokia's success, Teng cited the company's sales leadership in most global regions and its dominant position in shipments of mobile handsets using 3G W-CDMA technology.

American exceptionalism
While Nokia appears to be invincible, the mobile-phone goliath still faces some challenges.

"Nokia has acknowledged its relatively weak position in CDMA technology - and the fact it doesn't dominate the North American market," Teng said. "However, the company is planning on introducing new appealing models for the U.S. market and is engaging in a more active marketing campaign in North America in 2008, which was kicked off by the ubiquitous product placement in the movie Cloverfield."
...continued

Samsung R500 Mobile Phone

Samsung Telecommunications America and Cricket Communications, the operating subsidiary of Leap Wireless International and a leading provider of unlimited wireless services, announced that the Samsung SCH-r500 handset, a sleek clamshell phone for Cricket customers, will be available to Cricket customers on Monday, December 24, 2007. The Samsung SCH-r500 features an internal antenna to maintain its sleek design; a high-resolution, 262K TFT internal display; a 1.2” external monochrome display; CDMA 1x 800/1900MHz digital-only EVDO; and a 1.3-megapixel camera with video. The Samsung phone also features an MP3 player; stereo speakers, up to 2GB microSD memory card slot; Stereo Bluetooth and enhanced voice recognition.

Samsung R500 Handset

"The Samsung R500 mobile phone is a hip and versatile device that will help our customers make full use of Cricket's extensive range of unlimited wireless voice and data services," said Sergio Garcia, director of device strategy for Cricket. "The handset's changeable face plates coupled with its MP3-player capabilities will make the phone especially attractive to our customers who want to stay on the cutting edge of trends and fashion. We are pleased to be working with Samsung on bringing even more variety in handset selection to our growing customer base."

Samsung R500 for Cricket subscribers

"The Samsung SCH-r500 handset is a feature-rich and stylish device that allows the user to customize their phone to match their personal style," said Peter Skarzynski, senior vice president, Samsung. "We are excited for the opportunity to offer the Samsung R500 to Cricket subscribers, and believe that given its changeable look and wide range of features, it will be popular among Cricket's young subscribers."

Samsung Clamshell phone

The Samsung R500 is compatible with Cricket's nationwide roaming service and supports Cricket Games & Apps, Mobile WEB and Quick Search. The Samsung mobile phone is also BREW capable for downloadable wallpapers, screensavers and ringtones directly over the air to add to those already included on the cell phone.

Samsung SCH-R500 price
The Samsung SCH-r500 measures 3.72 x 1.95 x .66 inches and weighs 3.34 ounces - with digital talk-time up to 3.5 hours and standby time up to 350 hours. The Samsung R500 cell phone is available at select Cricket retail stores and Cricket dealers immediately for $199.99.

Source: LetsGoMobile

Mobile phone controlled laser can take out security cameras - lasers blind cameras on demand

Security cameras are such a bother. Having Big Brother always watching your every move can get a little old. If you really want some privacy, you might consider this cool (if, likely illegal) use of a mobile phone and laser to put the blinders on those “all-seeing eyes.”

Simply mount the laser on your window, point at troublesome camera, hook up to your mobile phone and get ready for some fun. When you need a little privacy, all you gotta do is send an SMS text message to your phone and activate the laser - all those high-energy photons are sure to give that camera a hard time watching your every move.


SMS text-activated laser that blinds security cameras? That’s definitely trick.

[Via: The Raw Feed]

Samsung Teams With Disney for Family Mobile Phones

Samsung Electronics, which has been airing commercials in Korea touting the value of family, has launched a marketing campaign in the U.S. to promote two new mobile phones designed specifically for families.

According to the mobile phone industry on Thursday, Samsung, which has been leading the market with high-end mobile phones for business people such as the BlackJack, recently joined hands with entertainment company Disney to create two "Disney phones" (DM-S105, DM-S110) for the U.S.


The Disney phones come with a GPS function (global positioning system) to make it easy to find children who are lost or kidnapped, a monitor function that lets parents check how much children are using the phone and a family alarm function that allows users to send a pre-saved message to other family members.

"In addition to a VGA camera and Bluetooth technology, the Disney phone features various functions that families need in everyday life. The phone is for kids, but in order not to give that impression the exterior design is as sharp as Samsung's other mobile phones," a Samsung official said.

The Disney phones will cost US$199.99 in the U.S.