Sanyo SCP-3100 Cell Phone

Sanyo has tied up with Sprint to launch the Sanyo SCP-3100 PCS Vision Phone which is available in a gamut of colors including Pure Silver, Blue Energy, Always Pink, and the very cool and different Espresso. Judging by the varied color scheme it is clear that Sanyo wants the handset to appeal to everyone irrespective of age and sex. The SCP-3100 not only promises to be trendy but also highly functional. The handset is Sprint PCS Vision- and Ready Link-capable and includes features like a high-quality speakerphone, SMS Text Messaging and a large external LCD.

The Sanyo SCP-3100 is going to be also marketed as a “family phone” where each member can express their individuality by choosing a different color. Sanyo would be the first company ever to release a phone in Espresso color which no doubt will be lapped up by the Java (coffee for uninitiated) loving population. The SCP-3100 would include the Sprint PCS Vision(R) service where customers can access and download content like images, ring tones, Music Tones, games etc.

The SCP-3100 by SANYO is also Sprint PCS Ready Link capable. This service basically entitles subscribers to engage in "walkie-talkie" style communication at the touch of a button with other Sprint PCS Ready Link users. Another cool service that comes with the handset is the Sprint PCS Picture Mail which lets one hare, print, preserve, and create and digital pictures via the built-in camera. The Sanyo SCP-3100 is available now for $199.99.For more information please visits: www.sprint.com.

MP3 Knob-View Player

I love technology especially when it reeks of coolness. The MP3 Knob-View Player is just that and takes a Zen like approach when it comes to functionality and design. This player means business and as the name implies looks like a knob which can be attached anywhere and by that we do mean anywhere! Attach it to your bag or your jeans or any place you fancy (possibilities are limitless) and enjoy your music. There’s no screen and the player pronounce the current songs and albums.

So how does this actually work? Once you have attached it using a Velcro strap or magnet you can turn the inner knob to adjust the volume, use the central button to play or pause/stop playback and use the outer knob is for smart listing. There is a listing mode which is also capable of pronouncing all songs of the current album, then all albums, in pause mode - the name of the album. No word on availability or pricing yet.

Home Dock Deluxe iPod Docking System

We love mentioning the four letter word practically every day, and before you recommend a soap to clean our mouth, we mean the iPod! Another cool accessory for the iPod has just been released by Digital Lifestyle Outfitter or DLO.The Home Dock Deluxe iPod docking system by DLO is now available which was first seen at the Macworld Expo.

This is the first start of the art docking system which lets you view and select your iPod's music on your TV screen, so more squinting! The HomeDock Deluxe is capable of producing a high resolution menu for the iPod on a TV screen allowing you to navigate, select and play your songs using the included 18-button remote control. Now you can browse your favorite artists, play list etc from a distance or from the comfort of your couch (sweet).

Its let you customize the screen and also include a number of cool screensavers. If this wasn’t enough, the HomeDock Deluxe iPod docking system also lets you view your videos and slideshows on your TV directly from the iPod. To add cherry to the cake, the docking system reeks of coolness and sports a very trendy design. The HomeDock Deluxe can be connected to a home stereo and TV via standard RCA plugs and S-Video connection, and also features a USB 2.0 port for syncing with a computer. It’s compatible with 4G and 5G iPods, the iPod mini and iPod nano and is available for $150.

The World's First True VGA Phone

Hats off to the Japanese as they don’t believe in sitting on the laurels and are forever coming up with new and innovative products. Now its Sharp’s turn to unveil the worlds first true VGA (480 x 640 pixels) phone which is available via Vodafone KK in Japan. The 904SH with its path breaking and revolutionary display would be able to offer a display which has not been seen before as the best display handsets have always featured QVGA (Quarter VGA). So what does that mean in layman terms? Read on:

The 904SH mobile phone would have a resolution four times greater and better than the competition and users would be able to enjoy multimedia functions to its fullest. The new phone is not just about the display but will also offer a host of multimedia features like 3.2 mega pixel camera; a Motion Control Sensor (for 3D games), and a Face Recognition utility to facilitate authentication of phone owners by sensing their facial characteristics. Wow this phone sounds straight from a Mission Impossible movie!

If all this wasn’t enough, the handset is capable of Bluetooth connectivity and smsing via Bluetooth. There is a parental control feature too for preventing kids to access wrong kind of applications. No information on a worldwide release but it will be available in Japan for £120 ($210).

FCC Approves Samsung SCH-A990

Samsung would be thrilled out of their minds as the almighty FCC has given its seal of approval to the Samsung SCH-A990. This particular CDMA EVDO handset would be made available via Verizon Wireless. The A990 would include features like 3.2 mega pixel camera, Bluetooth, microSD memory card slot, a twisting display color external display, and an internal antenna. It is been assumed that the A990 which is inspired by the SGH-Z710 would also feature an auto-focus lens and QVGA display just like its European counterpart.

Helio inks Yahoo deal for easier mobile Web use

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Helio LLC, the mobile venture of SK Telecom and EarthLink Inc., said on Thursday it agreed to put a link to Yahoo Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO - news)'s Web search engine directly on its cellphone screens to make it easier to surf the Web on its devices.

Helio plans to sell mobile services using rented space on established networks in the next few months and it hopes to pick up customers in the crowded U.S. wireless market by targeting its services specifically at tech-savvy young adults.

Helio and its rivals see data services such as Web surfing as a key to growth as phone call prices are falling. Web companies in turn see wireless as a growth area even though mobile Web surfing is not yet widely popular because of slow service on an awkward interface on the small devices.

Yahoo, which competes with Google Inc and Microsoft Corp. in the Web search market, already embeds its services in certain phones made by Nokia and sold by Cingular Wireless, the No. 1 U.S. service,

Marco Boerries, the head of Yahoo's wireless business, said that deals such as Helio, which allows users to open a Web search page by pressing one button on the phone, will boost usage of Yahoo's services on cellphones.

"This is one of the key steps that needs to happen to open up the mobile Internet," he said. "It's sometimes really hard and requires multiple clicks to get to the Yahoo service you want (on a cellphone)."

The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the arrangement but said that a portion of Yahoo's take depends on how much Helio customers use Yahoo on their phones. Yahoo is not prevented from making similar deals with Helio's rivals.

Jupiter Research analyst Julie Ask said deals with big-name Web companies would be crucial for Helio if it is to create enough buzz around its brand to attract consumers.

"They can't go out there and be just another voice provider, so they need to be able to get people to use data services," she said. "The easier and more familiar they make the experience for people it's going to contribute to more people using data more often."

Helio's Chief Executive Sky Dayton would not say if he had courted Yahoo rivals such as Google. He said the breadth of content and services found on Yahoo's Web portal was an important factor for the estimated 12 million people his service will target.

"We know from our consumer research that 100 percent of our users use Yahoo on a regular basis, Dayton said.

Aside from the search engine Helio also plans to feature Yahoo news, sports and finance content, as well as its e-mail and instant messaging service.

Helio rents space on the networks of both Sprint Nextel Corp. and Verizon Wireless, a venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group Plc.

Verizon Pantech PN-215 Review

Cell Phone Review: Pantech PN-215 User Review by Jose Moller from Los Angeles, California












The Verizon Pantech PN-215 is Pantech'ts second submission into the US cell market. For those people who haven'tt even heard of Pantech they are the leading Cell phone manufacturer in Korea and most importantly developing the world'ts first CDMA cell phone. If you think you have never seen a Pantech phone, look closely at the old Audiovox/UTstartcom flip phones, those were all made by Pantech.













Now the Verizon Pantech PN-215 was introduced to the Verizon Wireless CDMA network and with that comes all the pros and cons. The phone does not come with a data cable or Bluetooth so transferring items to your Verizon PN-215 phone is pretty limited. Rumors are saying that the Audiovox 8910 cable works but the transferring of pictures or ring tones is denied. Both QPST and BitPim have been tried (if anyone knows how, feel free to shoot me a message). Sending music through an email attachment does seem to work so you can??t use it for ringers.













This Verizon Pantech PN-215 phone comes with a VGA camera, flash, voice dialing, speakerphone and a great extendable antenna. A great well rounded phone perfect for basic cell phone usage. The internal screen is great and I wish the external screen was color LCD but that's just me. The menus are intuitive and there are a multitude of buttons with built in shortcuts. Verizon PN 215 has a great little camera which responds very quickly for those who are a bit camera happy and take pictures of anything that does or doesn't move.













The Verizon PN-215 is almost exactly like the Audiovox 8915 just lighter and a bit smaller. The faceplate is easily changeable with a mini-philips (take the top 2 stoppers out and the bottom long one). There are extended batteries available increasing talk time almost 100%, but try to find one on eBay or your going to get gouged by Verizon. The 2.5 jack is at the top of the phone instead of the side which gives that extra inch that'ts always missing. For those of you who need an external antenna call up Wilson tech support, their website shows pending so they probably have one out now.













The OEM holster looks like you can open Pantech PN-215 phone while it's attached which is a great feature. There is also a decent selection of cases to protect your Verizon PN-215 phone. Car chargers are also available too. If you want to customize your Verizon PN-215 phone even more flashing antennas can give your Pantech PN-215 phone that uniqueness that you crave.

Samsung SGH-T809 Review

Cell Phone Review: Samsung T-809 User Review by Alexander Gustavo from Richmond, Virgina














Finally T-mobile has a thin multi-media phone of its own that isn’t made by Motorola. The sleek Samsung T809 is a sleek phone jumping onto the bandwagon of thin fashion phones ala the RAZR. The T-mobile Samsung T809 has a brilliant screen, great sound quality, Bluetooth, 1.3 mega pixel camera, a image editor built-in for a spot touch-up job, and even expandable memory for those who like to listen to MP3’s.














Data-wise Samsung T809 is great. Video and picture transfer is available through Bluetooth data suites and dongles.














But, if you wish to plug in your Samsung T809 then your only option is eBay until someone makes or finds the OEM cables. The Samsung T809 can also be used as a modem so your Samsung T809 is always connected to the Internet.














With the Samsung T809 phone being so small it’s awkward to hold it during calls leads to some slight cramping. Go with a Bluetooth headset, might as well use the phone to its fullest. There are plug-in headsets, but that takes away the ability to charge the phone














Since there is so much is crammed into this small little phone something has to suffer for fashion. The battery life is short but still beats the Samsung A900 Blade. The Samsung T809 phone battery is pretty much drained in 1 day with just moderate usage (checking VM, Texting, some calls) but OEM chargers work really fast. For those who what an extended battery the future looks bad, putting a bigger battery in this small T-809 phone defeats the purpose. Desktop charger has a higher chance but will be difficult because of the charging port location. Pick up an extra wall or car charger for a quick boost while driving or at work.

Motorola W315 announced

CTIA 2006 -- Motorola today introduced a new entry-level CDMA handset, the W315. The handset features a shape somewhat similar to the PEBL, albeit with an external antenna. Features of the new Motorola W315 include:

1.8" 128×160 65K CSTN screen
Soft touch housing
SMS / MMS
The Motorola W315 is expected to be available in Q3 2006. In another announcement this morning, Motorola debuted the RAZR V3m.

Samsung T719 Clamshell

Samsung Korea, today announced another clamshell mobile phone, Samsung T719. Based on the same impressively slim and light form factor, the T719 is actually a very different phone in its class. The T-719 boasts of a very slim n sleek design and features a rotating 1.3 megapixel camera. Other couple of key features included the BlackBerry push email and a SureType text keyboard.

Well, with several mobile giants now licensing RIM's BlackBerry back-end technology for delivering push email directly to phone inboxes, Samsung, not to be left behind, also apparently forged a deeper partnership with RIM by offering an actual BlackBerry email interface right on the phone, and licesning's RIM's SureType text keypad design as well. The phone comes with an internal memory of 25MB. Perhaps the most disappointing thing about the phone is that, it does not have a memory card slot, which is absolutely inexplicable. One really wonders the wisdom behind it, as it sounds very strange that a mobile phone featuring a 1.3 MegaPixel camera comes with a paltry limited internal memory of 25MB. Perhaps only Samsung can explain that. Samsung

Fear of handset viruses deter companies: survey

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Cellular phone viruses are still mercifully rare, but more than 60 percent of global companies mention security concerns as a reason for not giving employees advanced handsets, a survey found on Tuesday.

Of 240 companies polled specifically about the threat of viruses, 82 percent of businesses expect a cellular network to be more at risk than a fixed-line network, but only a quarter have assessed the real threat that comes from their staff's handsets, the Economist Intelligence Unit found.

"They may be erring on the side of caution," said Ollie Whitehouse, a wireless research scientist at anti-virus and security software vendor Symantec (Nasdaq:SYMC - news), which commissioned the study.

There are currently about 100 cellular viruses that can disable a phone or create bills of hundreds of euros by sending pricey picture messages. The very first cellular virus spreading "in the wild" emerged less than two years ago.

While this is still a tiny number compared with personal computer viruses, the threat is expected to increase.

"There's no technological reason we won't see the same level of attacks as we've seen with desktop and laptop computers," Whitehouse said.

Advanced cellular phones run the same kind of applications as desktop and laptop computers, and they have multiple wireless connections to get infected and spread a virus, he added.

Research group Gartner predicts that wireless email users worldwide will reach 20 million in 2006 and 100 million in 2009.

The Economist study, published ahead of the CTIA wireless trade show in Las Vegas, showed that over 80 percent of the companies had a security policy in place for laptop computers.

Research firm IDC believes the market for cellular security software will grow about 70 percent a year to nearly $1 billion in 2008.

One of the reasons for the relatively slow spread of cellular phone viruses so far has been the greater variety of software running cellular phones compared with computers, which mostly run on Microsoft's (Nasdaq:MSFT - news) Windows operating system.

Consequently, to target a large number of cellular phones, writers of virus software have to put in a lot more work.

Siemens CL71 to Hit US Markets Soon

Expect BenQ-Siemens CL71 to hit the US market soon, thanks to its approval.

It's a cool-looking slider with some interesting features, including a 262k color screen and 1.3 megapixel cam, as well as support for microSD cards for expanding on the memory.

The earlier target release date of Q2 2006 can now be met. Access BenQ's website for details

Now AOL Joins The Navigation Bandwagon

With companies running out of features to incorporate in mobile phones, Navigational suite or application appears to be the next best thing. Today AOL’s unit MapQuest has just showcased a mobile map service which include handy features like voice directions, text and maps. Those who cannot afford expensive GPS devices, the MapQuest Navigator is a god send and the perfect alternative.

The MapQuest Navigator has not been launched by AOL yet and talks are still in progress with cell phone operators like Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel Corp. It is targeted at all cell phone users in the US and the company wants to commercialize location-pinpointing technology and make it more accessible. According to mobile research firm m: metrics, about 4.3 percent of U.S. mobile users used map services on their phone in January. Thus AOL wants capture this market. No word on availability or pricing.

Via Yahoo

"A big part of our future is mobile ... We have users of mapquest.com that already trust us. This is just a better way for us to guide our users to their destinations," said Alan Beiagi, MapQuest's general manager of wireless. "If you're in a car .... you want to be able to make a decision extremely quickly. The best way to do it is to have a voice prompt," he said.

New entertainment everywhere era sets global TV trade show buzzing

CANNES, France (AFP) - From the mobile phone to the Internet, portable game stations, the iconic iPod, DVD players, and of course, the television set, a new entertainment everywhere era is dawning for the TV industry.

This exciting new future and the new challenges posed by the digital revolution, which is fast releasing TV from its box onto a multitude of new screens gets the annual "MIPTV featuring MILIA", the audiovisual trade show, off to a sparkling start on Monday.

"Entertainment everywhere" is becoming a reality, emphasised Paul Johnson, television director for the show's organisers Reed MIDEM. As a result, "MIPTV featuring MILIA 2006 will be one of our biggest TV markets yet," he told AFP.

More than 12,000 top players from the TV, DVD, video, cable and satellite as well as the new media worlds in 92 countries have jetted into this smart Riviera resort, five percent more than last year.

A week of hectic deal-making is also on the cards with seven percent more TV programme buyers signed up for the influential event before its close on Friday.

One of the highlights, though, looks set to be the brainstorming conferences that run in parallel with the main business of buying and selling audiovisual content.

A busy conference programme aims to tackle many of the key issues facing the industries today in order to understand and react to the plethora of fast-emerging new distribution platforms. The other multi-million dollar question is what content will win new audiences.

The importance of these challenges to the future of television has brought some of the world's most influential figures in new media and multiplatform TV to town.

The heavyweight line-up of speakers includes AOL CEO Jonathan Miller, the BBC's Ashley Highfield and Japan's NTT DoCoMo senior exec Takeshi Natsuno.

They and others will address some of the major issues facing the business today -- the growth of mobile TV and entertainment, TV on the Internet (IPTV) and on-demand viewing.

Reflecting the increasingly interactive nature of television, MIPTV featuring MILIA will this year include the first-ever International Interactive Emmy Awards, among television's top prizes.

"This is the first Emmys to be staged outside the USA and confirms our efforts to stay ahead of the curve as digital technology re-shapes our industry," Johnson added.

Smooth "Desperate Housewives" star Roger Bart will host Wednesday's prize-giving, alongside Dennis Heysbert of "24" fame, France's Corinne Touzet and Latin telenovela actress Veronica Schneider.

Partying is a serious business during the show, where networking opportunities abound on the exhibition floor, in the conference halls and in the neighbouring clutch of luxurious, top class hotels.

Monday's opening cocktail party sponsored by Abu Dhabi Television will have an Arabian nights' flavour, ahead of a special session Tuesday that highlights the booming TV market in the Gulf region.

Asia-Pacific countries have also turned out here in large numbers. A total of 558 companies from the region are in town, accounting for 15 percent of the total 3,724 companies represented here.

Hi-tech digital powerhouses South Korea and Japan both figure in the list of top 10 exhibiting countries.

Japan will also be in the limelight Tuesday when its production powerhouse TOEI receives the show's Lifetime Achievement award for its contribution to the international television industry.

The Korean Broadcasting Commission (KBC) and the BBC are also joint organisers of MIPTV featuring MILIA's new international competition "Content 360".

This is aimed at stimulating new innovative interactive content to exploit the creative potential of new digital platforms and maximise interaction between audiences and broadcast TV.

Mapquest unveils navigation help on mobile phones

NEW YORK (Reuters) - AOL unit MapQuest on Monday unveiled a mobile map service that customers can use on their cellular phones, complete with voice directions, text and maps in a bid to expand on the popularity of its Internet maps.

The MapQuest Navigator will be marketed as a cheaper alternative to navigation systems built into cars.

In order to get the software for the service to consumers' phones, MapQuest is working on agreements with cellphone operators. The service could work in cellphones sold by Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel Corp., the company said.

"A big part of our future is mobile ... We have users of mapquest.com that already trust us. This is just a better way for us to guide our users to their destinations," said Alan Beiagi, MapQuest's general manager of wireless.

MapQuest, which has about 40 million monthly users of its Internet driving directions and mapping services, hopes its online popularity and features such as turn-by-turn voice prompts give it an edge over offers from rivals such as Google Inc. and InfoSpace.

Sprint recently started offering directions and other local data from InfoSpace Inc..

The MapQuest Navigator aims to commercialize location-pinpointing technology that is being put into most U.S. mobile phones, along with MapQuest's online map technology.

U.S. cellphone service providers are required by law to put location technology in new phones in order to help public safety workers find callers in an emergency.

But while a brand can help gain consumers' attention in what is an emerging market, it is not enough unless the service works well, independent media analyst Greg Sterling said.

"It gives it a jump start, but brand is only as good as what it delivers," said Sterling, who believes that such services are "several years away from mainstream adoption."

Sterling said he had not test-driven the application. According to mobile research firm m:metrics, about 4.3 percent of U.S. mobile users used map services on their phone in the month of January.

Beiagi expects MapQuest's combination of text with voice prompts and text instructions will help make such services attractive for consumers.

"If you're in a car .... you want to be able to make a decision extremely quickly. The best way to do it is to have a voice prompt," he said.

He said that pricing of the service would depend on carriers but he hopes consumers would pay subscription fees in the ballpark of about $4 or more a month.

AOL and MapQuest are owned by Time Warner Inc..