Nokia (NYSE: NOK) announced three new phones for the U.S. market. Let’s briefly go through each one of them:
First comes the ultra-low-end, CDMA-based Nokia 1006, which was developed in Nokia’s San Diego product creation center for AWS carriers. It’s an entry-level device with basic phone features that will be available most probably for free on a contract, in blue and silver.
Then there’s the Nokia 7510 Supernova which we already caught on Nokia’s website. The stylish clamshell is UMA compatible, allowing flexibility between using the cellular and Wi-Fi networks for calls. In addition, the 7510 boasts exchangeable frond and back covers, which are available in “Fatal Red,” “Espresso Brown” and “Emerald Green.” The device is set to hit the T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) USA’s offering later in the month.
Finally, Nokia announced “ready-for-the-States” version of its E63 messaging phone. It’s a Symbian S60-based smartphone with full QWERTY keyboard, WiFi connectivity, 2 megapixel camera, and much more. No carrier partners have been announced yet, but an unlocked device will be available for $279 through Nokia Flagship Stores in Chicago and New York, and via retail partners.
In addition, the Finnish giant also unveiled a new Bluetooth headset - BH-904, which is capable of separating a user’s voice from ambient noise, ensuring good speech quality in noisy environments. It can also maintain two active connections between the headset and another device at the same time. The BH-904’s battery allows up to five hours of talk time after only 15 minutes of charging.
Only three devices from Nokia? Kinda sad. I guess they’re preparing to rock the Mobile World Congress. Can’t wait!
Nokia (NYSE: NOK) and Philips announced a new collaboration to bring consumers the ultimate user-friendly home experience supported by the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) protocol. Naturally, the Finnish giant’s idea is to go well beyond handset business, to allow users to do such things as play music from their mobile phone to their home stereo, control devices around the house, or access the content stored on various devices from a mobile phone.
Nokia Home Media Solution and Philips Streamium products are optimized to give consumers a simple, seamless, and interactive out-of-the-box experience. The Philips Streamium wireless audio products will let users stream music from their mobile devices or from another DLNA-enabled device like a PC in order to enjoy the music at home. With their Nokia mobile device, users can control the Philips wireless audio systems and interact with their music that’s stored on their phone, on their PC or on the audio device.
Commenting on the announcement, Nokia’s Richard French said: “Working with Philips, we can simplify the ‘connected home’ experience. When people are shopping for new devices, we want to eliminate the guesswork in buying compatible devices for their home network and help them enjoy hassle-free connectivity.”
If you’re a Skype user, no doubt there’s a little part of you that smiles when the app is released on a new platform and/or device. This time around at CES, it has been announced that Skype Lite is coming to the Android OS. The app will allow T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) G1 users to make cheap calls without needing a mobile interenet connection… Plus, of course, you can use it to chat with friends, family and colleagues via Skype chat.
The new app is being made available to many other java-enabled handsets this morning (Nokia (NYSE: NOK), Moto, LG, etc…). I haven’t noticed its availability in the Android Market yet, and no details are available as to when it will be available for download, but it should be soon.
I live and breathe Skype. Gotta love it when you can take it with you on-the-go! Stay tuned for more on this as it develops.
If you’re hankering for the new LG-GD910 3G Watch Phone that Simon reported on yesterday, you’re going to want to watch this video! Our buddy John over at MobileSyrup got his hands on it, direct from LG Canada. In the video (which runs just over 4 minutes) Frank Lee from LG Electronics gives us a run-down of the features built-in to the LG-GD910 3G Watch Phone. Of particular interest to me was the Bluetooth functionality and the voice dialing/command system. When using these 2 features together… I could actually see myself getting great use out of the device.
I won’t say too much here, as I want you to watch the video! But have to admit… When I first laid eyes on this device, I kind of chuckled and brushed it off. But now that I see it in practical use, it’s looking better and better! What do YOU think of the LG-GD910 3G Watch Phone?
If you’ve been considering picking up a new Nokia (NYSE: NOK) N79, there are 2 new colors from you to choose from. Petrol Black, and Seal Grey. Both of the new offerings come with their own set of Xpress-on replacement color covers. So, if you get tired of the Petrol Black, simply pop on a cover! Easy! There are 3 replacement covers that come with the device, so I would think that would be enough. Right?
According to the Nokia Nseries website, the Nokia N79 comes in a total of 3 ‘main’ colors. Canvas White, and the new Petrol Black and Seal Grey. The Canvas White device comes with Sea Blue, Olive Green and Espresso Brown Xpress-on covers. The Petrol Black comes with Dark Grey, Steel Grey, and Deep Plum Xpress-on covers. Finally, the Seal Grey comes with Espresso Brown, Coral Red, and White Xpress-on covers. Lots of options, gotta love that!
In order to promote one of its best devices ever made, Nokia (NYSE: NOK) E71, the Finnish giant will be rolling out a new campaign in the coming days. And while we’ve no clue when campaign will actually start, we’ve found few screenshots from a dedicated website, where users will be able to learn more about the full QWERTY keyboard-equipped smartphone and how to use it to improve their lives.
Apparently, the dedicated website will feature 4 short films from artists with their interpretations. Guess, the idea is to show potential buyers of the E71 what that device can do for them.
I said it before and I’m repeating it again - it’s the best Nokia smartphone ever released to date (I’m not counting the upcoming N97, though). Buy it, you won’t regret!
And here are the screenshots from the mentioned 4 films.
During the CES, SD Association — the folks behind the popular SD flash memory card standards — have announced a new memory card specification called SDXC, where the last two letters stand for “eXtended Capacity.” The idea is, of course, to prepare a groundwork for the upcoming consumer needs when more storage capacity and faster access to data will be needed. In that sense, the new SDXC specification provides up to 2 terabytes storage capacity and accelerates SD interface read/write speeds to 104 megabytes per second this year, with a road map to 300 megabytes per second.
The SDXC specification, developed by the SD Association, leapfrogs memory card interface speeds while retaining the world-leading SD interface. Specifications for the open standard will be released in the first quarter of 2009. SDHC, Embedded SD and SDIO specifications will also benefit from the new SD interface speeds.
The SDXC relies on Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT)’s exFAT file system to support its large capacity and interoperability in a broad range of devices. The exFAT system was designed for increased compatibility with flash media, from portability of data to interoperability with multiple platforms and devices on removable media.
Finally, to put the numbers in a perspective. A 2TB SDXC memory card can store 100 HD movies, 60 hours of HD recording or 17,000 fine-grade photos. Wow!!!
Following the iLuv iHD171 HD radio, we’ve spotted another product from the popular iPod/iPhone accessories maker. It’s the iLUV iMM283, a device that can charge both an iPod (1st, 2nd or 3rd generation) and an iPhone, while playing music from any of the two (in case two devices are connected). In addition, the iLuv’s baby can also be used for listening to the radio or for checking out local weather alerts. For the latter, iLuv relies on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to store up to 10 alert messages.
Immediately notable on the iMM283 is a big screen where all this (weather, station and song info) is on display. Two 5W speakers offer depth and clarity, while remote control is included in the box for pure convenience. Too bad it’s not a “remote control/Bluetooth headset” combo so you don’t have to get up when the phone rings. Now that would be something.
Pandora is out with an updated version of its iPhone/iPod Touch app. Version 2.0 brings many improvements, among which we highlight:
Cover Flow view - yap, that means you’ll be able to browse around songs and stations just like in your iPod app.
Improved music recommendation engine - honestly, I’m not sure why this was needed, but then again, in most cases I use Pandora for mainstream music, so I guess I’m not the right kind of person to go into details on this.
Artist and song info - get all the details about the artist and song you’re listing to. Pandora 2.0 will also tell you why a recommendation has been included in your station.
Bookmarks and more - you can bookmark song or artist, buy the track from iTunes, or share a station with your buddies.
In a nutshell - update is a must for everyone who enjoys Pandora on a daily basis. Here’s a link to the AppStore (iTunes).
Google (NSDQ: GOOG) has updated Google Maps for mobile to make finding businesses on the go easier than ever. Thanks to the new server-side update (which means no update to the mobile client is needed), you can enter a business name as a start or end point.
For instance, before the update when you typed “starbucks,” Google Maps for mobile hasn’t realized you’re looking for coffee. Rather it tried to find a street named “starbucks.” Now, with an updated version when you search for “starbucks” or “burger king,” the application will show all matching cafes and restaurants in the area. Kinda neat, don’t you think?
Anyway, if you still haven’t installed Google Maps for mobile on your device, simply point your mobile browser to google.com/gmm and take it from there.
