Here's an update to my last post on the rising rumors on the highly anticipated Google Android based mobile phone. It seems that preparations for the release of the Android phone are well under way as Google has officially announced the existence of the Android market.

The Google Android market is similar to the Apple app. store. This market will offer an open content distribution system where Google Android phone owners can can find, purchase, download and install content on their Gphone.

The Android market will provide a way for developers to deliver their applications to users of Android based cell phones. An interesting feature of this market is the "rating and feedback system" which will be similar to the one installed in the hit video sharing site, YouTube. The system will allow users to rate an application and offer some feedback and comments on its performance. I have observed that cell phone ratings and other types of rating systems haver become popular on the web. This will undoubtedly work on the market for the Android.

Google also announced that the Android Market will be a beta feature on the first wave of Android handsets. However, the Android Market feature is not yet a final product because decisions about how it will function are still being made. It's expected that simmi8lar to the Apple app store, the Google market will offer paid content and free products.

The Android market will be finalized after the market Android mobile phone officially launches. Google will then provide a software update to the first wave of mobile phones running on the Android OS.


Here are the basics steps provided by Google for getting content into the Android Market:

• First the developer needs to register as a merchant
  

• Second, the developer needs tto upload and describe the app/service
  

• The last step would be to publish it app/service in the Android market.

The first Google phone which will probably be the HTC Dream is expected to have quad-band GSM/EDGE radios, WCDMA 1700, Bluetooth and WiFi. It is also being rumored to offer a slot for microSD cards and a camera of unknown quality.

That's all for todays Android update. Keep on visiting this blog for more news and info on the Android and other mobile phone related news.

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Lately, there has been a lot of buzz about the Android phone also known as the Google phone. There have been rumors about the release dates and possible features of the anticipated device. Let's take a look at the latest updates and rumors about the first phone that will run on Google's Android platform.

The most important development on the Android scenes is probably the FCC's approval of the HTC Dream, the phone being pegged as the first Android mobile phone. FCC documents also provided new information on the "Android" phone. For instance, the documents confirmed that it will have quad-band GSM/EDGE radios, WCDMA 1700, Bluetooth and WiFi. The documents mention a camera of unknown quality and a slot for microSD cards.

More importantly, the timing of this approval makes the rumors that the HTC Dream will run Android plausible. Recently, HTC and T-Mobile confirmed that they will be releasing a new phone based on Google's Android platform by the end of the year.

The HTC Dream phone also supports the 1700 MHz band earmarks it for T-Mobile. T-mobile has been working towards the development of a phone that will run on the Android platform.

A few weeks ago, there were some rumors that T-Mobile may offer a phone running the Android platform as early as October . However, some recent statements made by Moe Tanabian of IBB Consulting may dampen the spirits of Android fans.

Moe Tanabian is an anlyst and one of the few persons who has actually who has actually seen the very first Android-based device. This is of course significant because most of the info we have on the Android are based on rumors. There are even no actual pictures of the the device so an analyst who has first hand experience with the device is a good source of info.

Now, Tanabian said that has announced that the Android phone will arrive in stores around Thanksgiving in November. Now this statement discredits rumors that we can get the Android phone by October.

Tanabian also revealed that the first Android mobile phone may not support Microsoft Exchange. This may mean that Android users who want to receive push email may have to rely exclusively on Gmail. This is significant because major smartphones like the iPhone and Blackberries offer Microsoft Exchange and its absence could hurt the Android phone.

Fortunately, Tanabian also offered some good news. For example, he said that confirmed that the Android device will come pre-installed with Google's advertising software. This may mean that the cost of the phone will be lessened . He also confirmed that the Android handset will provide access to T-Mobile's own App Store-like service.

Well, I guess we all have to wait for further updates to see if the Android phone will finally come on the upcoming months. Tune in to this blog for more updates on the Android and other mobile phone news.

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Here's something for those who love tough handsets and the outdoors. Casio has just announced the arrival of the Boulder, the latest version of the G'zOne ruggedized line of phones.

With a name like the Boulder, you've got to expect that it's a rugged type of phone. I also like to say that it's a cool looking phone with a compass on the exterior. I'm sure that outdoor enthusiasts will love to have it as part of their gear. Let's go over the details of this device.

This handset is currently being offered by Verizon at $129 with a contract agreement for two years and after a $50 online discount. A few days ago, Verizon also released a rugged phone called the the Motorola Adventure V750. It seems that Verizon is making a move into the rugged phones market.

Like most rugged phones, the G'zOne Boulder is built to military specifications to withstand shock, water and dust environments. This makes it a phone for those who like to hike, fish or climb mountains. It can withstand those environment that would destroy most other mobile phones.

Today's tough phones do not only offer durable bodies but decent features as well. And Casio's Boulder is no different. It offers integrated GPS, e-compass, LED flashlight, and Push-to-Talk functionality. It also offers a 1.3 megapixel camera, a microSD card for storing media, video and music playback, Bluetooth, and speakerphone. In short, it's loaded. That camera can come in handy for those great out doors sights.

The G’zOne Boulder supports some of Verizon Wireles's productivity tools and entertainment services including VZ NavigatorSM, Field Force Manager, V CAST Music with Rhapsody and V CAST Video.

Here is a list of the Boulders features and capabilities:

• 1.3 megapixel camera
• Flashlight
• Electronic compass
• Music player
• optional microSD™ card up to 8 GB
• Bluetooth®
• Advanced speech recognition with dedicated voice dial key
• Alarm clock
• Voice commands
• Speakerphone
• Bilingual interface
• VZ Navigator-capable
• Field Force Manager-capable
• V CAST Music with Rhapsody-capable

Tune in to this blog for more info on mobile phones and related topics.

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I was joining the discussions in some online forums dedicated to mobile phones and I noticed that a lot of people want to know about the difference bet ween the iPhone and the 3G version. So I decided to do some research on this topic and detail the difference between the two popular handsets.

I think the first difference to look at is the mobile network. The 3G iPhone is largely distinguished from the original iPhone by 3G technology. That's obviously why it's commonly called the 3G iPhone or iPhone 3G.

The original iPhone operated on the standard network and people were complaining that the EDGE network was just not fast enough. So the major upgrade on the new iPhone is that it can access high-speed 3G mobile networks built on the UMTS/WCDMA technology. With this upgrade, the 3G iPhone can achieve speeds of up to 3.6Mbps.

Next let's tackle the appearance or the design of the devices. The original iPhone has a unique and sophisticated look that emphasizes that it's a touchscreen device. The 3G iPhone does not really look very different from the original. It's a successful design so there's really no point in making radical changes. The iPhone is not as tall as the original but it is slightly wider. It's obvious that the significant differences between the first and second iPhone models can be found inside the unit.

Let's proceed with the Audi quality. Some experts were unimpressed with the audio quality during phone calls of the original iPhone so Apple made sure to make improvements in the next generation device. The 3G iPhone offers improved audio quality during phone calls and loud speaker. It also comes with a standard 3.5mm stereo plug top allow users to use any headphones.

Battery life is one of the concerns that have been expressed by some experts. You see 3G technology is infamous for using up a lot of energy. Obviously this is not a concern for the original iPhone because it's 2G. Unfortunately, some early reviews on the 3G iPhone indicates that the battery isn't performing well.

Let's move on to the camera. Some mobile phone fans were disappointed when the found out that both the iPhone and the 3G version will offer practically the same 2.0 Megapixel, fixed-lens camera. However, putting in a more powerful camera would drive up the price and that doesn't jive with the plan to sell the 3G iPhone at a cheaper price. Apple claimed that software tweaks will improve the camera's performance. However, tests shows that there is no significance differences in the image taken from the camera.

When it comes to features and services, it's logical that the 3G version offers more than the original iPhone. After all, it's an upgrade so it's bound to offer more in this category. For instance, the 3G iPhone offers the built-in GPS receiver which offers maps for navigation.

Well, I think this is long enough. I hope that this post can answer some of the questions posted by those who want to know more about the iPhone 3G. Tune in to this blog for more mobile phone news and info.

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Here's some breaking news from AT&T. The 3G iPhone set to hit AT&t stores on July 11th, the Mobile phone carrier has decided to announce the pricing information for Apple's hit device.

According to the company, new and existing AT&T customers will be able to choose from several attractive voice and data plans if they want to get the 3G iPhone. AT&T also provided some tips on how to be "iReady" when iPhone 3G goes on sale at AT&T retail stores.

Ralph de la Vega, the president and CEO of AT&T's wireless unit released this statement as part of the announcement.

"We can't wait to offer iPhone 3G to our customers, and we want to make sure the buying process is as easy as possible. Considering all the great new features of iPhone 3G, we think our pricing and monthly plans present a tremendous value for consumers and businesses alike."

You can read the whole announcement or press release by clicking this link: AT&T Announces iPhone 3G Pricing and Tips. But I have also prepared a summary of the information on the announcement. Here they are:

• Customers who purchased an iPhone before July 11, new customers, and customer who are eligible for an upgrade discount will get the 8GB 3G iPhone for $199 and the 16GB iPhone for $299.

• The 8GB model will be offered for $399 to customers who are not eligible for a discount. They will also be charged $499 for the 16GB model.

• New and old customers will be required to commit to a new two-year agreement.

• Apple's new iPhone will require one of four plans, which bundle voice minutes with unlimited data for web and email use.

• The unlimited minutes and data plan will cost $130 per month, the 1350-minute plan will cost $110, the 900-minute plan will cost $90 and the 450-minute plan will cost $70.

• Messaging is not included in any of these plans and must be added separately. $20 buys unlimited messaging, $15 buys 1500 messages, and $5 buys 200 messages per month.

• Any iPhone customer seeking corporate email support will need a $45 business data plan.

• AT&T will offer no-contract availability of the 3G iPhone at the full retail price of $599 for the the 8GB model and $699 price for the 16GB models in the future.

Tune in to this blog for more updates on the 3G iPhone and other mobile phone topics.

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Here's some new mobile phone updates from Nokia. Apparently the company has just unveiled two new devices for its ESeries line up.

The mobile phone maker has just announced the arrival of the Nokia E71 and Nokia E66. The company heralds these devices as the latest email-optimized devices in the Eseries product range. Nokia's Eseries mobile phones are business-oriented smartphones characterized by support for corporate e-mail push services and enhanced connectivity.

Nokia claims that these new products will easily mobilize a broad range of personal or professional messaging needs. This includes one of the world's most widely adopted corporate email solutions, the Microsoft Exchange application.

The Nokia E66 and E71 are fully equipped for easy-to-install and easy-to-use professional and personal email. This capability will give users who use Microsoft Exchange at work the ability to access their email using the Mail for Exchange mobile email client.

Reliable real-time access to email, calendar, contacts and tasks are a breeze with these new Nokia Eseries mobile phones. The Nokia E7 and E66 also makes downloading attachments like Word, Excel, Powerpoint or PDF files directly easy and reliable.

Both of these Nokia Eseries devices also support email accounts from more than a thousand internet service providers. Gmail, Yahoo! mail and Hotmail users will can use these devices to access their emails. Each of these Nokia phones offer unique features so leach look at them separately.


The Nokia E71 is covered by stainless steel case designed with etched graphics. The new Nokia E series handset is available in grey steel and white steel. This new handset overs great design quality and craftsmanship. The Nokia E71 device's brilliantly simple user interface is complemented by the cool metallic finish.

This handset was designed to be comfortable for both one-handed and two-handed use.The designers of integrated ergonomics into the E71 as shown by narrow shape and unique keypad design.

If you want a mobile phone with a premiun feel and look, then you should check out the Nokia E66. Its stainless steel accents and smooth sliding design will giver you what you desire. It is available in grey steel and white steel versions that will leave a lasting impression as a well designed, sophisticated business tool.

It also offers premium features like an enhanced calendar, contacts and customizable home screen modes. The Nokia E66 also offers an orientation sensor. These feature automatically optimizes the device for full screen viewing or silences the ringer when the device is turned over.

There you go. I'm sure these magnificent products will stimulate your interests. Tune in for mobile mobile phone news and updates from this cell phone blog.

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Here's some excellent news for HTC and business phone users. The mobile phone makers has just announced the HTC Touch Pro, an advanced next generation business phone.

HTC, one of the global leaders in mobile phone innovation and design, has completed the process of creating a handset that would bring a beautiful new angle to mobile business productivity. The HTC Touch Pro offers similar styling and functionality of the highly anticipated Touch Diamond. However, the newly-unveiled business mobile phone has been equipped with a variety of business-focused enhancements that help to make make completing work done on the go quick and easy.

Here's a statement from HTC Corp. president and CEO, Peter Chou on the release of the HTC Touch Pro:

“The HTC Touch Pro and Touch Diamond have created a new generation of HTC touch devices that make the promise of the one-hand, one-touch mobile Internet a reality. HTC Touch Pro is for those customers that demand the ease of use and enjoyment of TouchFLO™ 3D and want the styling of the Touch Diamond but also need the powerful mobile business experience that HTC delivers.”

The Touch Pro has been designed to fit comfortably in a user’s hand and combines the direct precision of HTC’s trademark sliding keyboard design with elegant touch screen response. This business handset offers a five-row QWERTY keyboard layout that makes it easier to do typing-intensive tasks like composing email or working on Microsoft Office® documents. It also offers a built-in TV-out functionality that provides users with a means deliver PowerPoint® presentations.

The HTC Touch Pro also combination of features and functionality. For exanple, this mobile phone's 2.8 inch display provides near-print quality viewing that enables beautiful Web browsing and viewing of photographs. Customers can also get clear and consistent photos from a built-in camera that includes an optical auto-focus lens.

Here are the details on the HTC Touch Pro's Specifications,

• • Size: 102 x 51 x 18.05mm
• • Weight: 165 g
• • Connectivity: WCDMA / HSPA: 900/2100MHz. HSDPA 7.2 Mbps
• • Operating system: Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional
• • Display: 2.8-inch VGA touch screen
• • Camera: 3.2MP, with the second VGA camera for video calling
• • Internal memory: 512 MB flash, 288 MB RAM
• • Expansion Slot: microSD™ memory card (SD 2.0 compatible)
• • Keyboard: Slide-out 5 row QWERTY keyboard
• • Bluetooth: 2.0 with EDR
• • Wireless: WiFi 802.11b/g
• • GPS: GPS/AGPS
• • Interface: HTC ExtUSB (11-pin mini-USB 2.0, audio jack, and TV out in one)
• • Battery: 1340 mAh
• • Talk time: GSM: up to 8 hours
• • Standby time: GSM: up to two-weeks
• • Chipset: Qualcomm MSM 7201A 528MHz

In late summer, customers across all major European, Asian and the Middle East markets will be able to get the HTC Touch Pro. Customers in North and Latin America will get their versions of Touch Pro before the year ends.

If you are interested in this device, then you should check out mobile phone sites that offer reviews on upcoming devices. Those sites will give you the pros, cons, features, and even the cell phone ratings of any device you want to purchase. It always helps to know the opinions of users and experts on a particular device. Tune in to this blog for more mobile phone news and announcements.

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It seems that Apple's iPhone will now conquer the globe? Will this put an end to the fake iPhones in the mobile phone market? I don't know but let's explore the rest of the story. After all, the iPhone may soon be launched in your country.

Recently, there have been stories and rumors about an operator making a deal to launch the iPhone in several countries. This time, Orange has announced that they have completed a deal with Apple that will give them the authority to launch the iPhone in ten markets around the globe.

Orange will be releasing the Apple iPhone on the following countries:

• Austria
• Belgium
• The Dominican Republic
• Egypt
• Jordan
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Switzerland
• Africa

However, the launching dates for these countries have not been revealed. Is your country on that list? If not, then you shouldn't worry. At this rate, the iPhonwe will be released in your country. Anyway, let's get back to the story.

In Austria, Egypt, Portugal and Africa, the iPhone may be available from multiple carriers. T-Mobile has also announce it will release the iPhone in Austria. Vodafone has its own list of “ten countries for the iPhone” which include a few countries listed in Orange's list.

It's probable that other global operators will be releasing the iPhone in more places. The iPhone may be spreading like wildfire around the world to make way for the next generation device. The 3G version is rumored to be released soon and some say that it will be the standard communications device in the near future.


More iTunes for the iPhone

Here's a juicy iPhone update:

The New York Times has punlished that some multiple label executives have confirmed that Apple is looking to expand its iTunes ringtone collection by June. The number is said to be far more than was targeted in the past. Downloadable song snippets and ringback tones are included in Apple's list. However, the labels feel that these ringtones should cost more over a hypothetical 3G iTunes store than the current Wi-Fi option.

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I have come to the conclusion that touchscreen mobile phones are the future. I know that it doesn't take a genius to figure that out because all major mobile phone makers are developing their own touchscreen mobile device.

It's obvious that the effort to craft touchscreen cell phones are related to the success of the iPhone, Apple's hot touchscreen device. Anyway, Phillip's has decided to join the touchscreen mobile phone competition by unveiling the Phillips X800 and the Phillips Xenium X-Connect.

Let's tackle this babies one by one. We will begin with the Phillips X800 . This touchscreen mobile phone offers a 2.9-inch 240 x 400 screen, and 2G GSM for data. That means that this Phillips cell phone does not offer WiFi or EDGE. The Phillips X800 also offers a low-end a 2 megapixel camera, microSD slot and Bluetooth.

The other notable features offered by the Phillips x800 are handwriting recognition and a documents reader. A positive attribute it offers is an impressive battery life with eight hours of talktime and up to 850 hours in standby. The information on this phone indicates that it's not a do-it-all mobile device that can top other popular touchscreen devices in the mobile phone market.

Here are the remaining info on the Phillips x800 touchscreen mobile phone:

Display: Type TFT touchscreen, 256K colors
Size: 240 x 400 pixels (Wide QVGA), 2.9 inches
Screensavers and wallpapers
Ringtones Type: Polyphonic (64 channels), MP3
Customization: Download
Vibration: Yes
Memory Phonebook: Yes
Call records: 30 received, dialed and missed calls
Data: GPRS Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
USB: Yes
Features Messaging: SMS, EMS, MMS
Browser: WAP 2.0/xHTML
Games: Yes
Colors: Black
Java MIDP 2.0
MP3/MPEG4/WAV/AAC player
Voice memo

Let's proceed with the Phillips Xenium X-Connect. This second touchscreen cellphone from Phillips offers high-end features such as Windows Mobile 6, UMTS and HSDPA, and a 3-inch display. However, it still does not support WiFi.

The other notable features of the Phillips Xenium X-Connect include built in GPS and mp3/video support . this device also offers microSD support, bluetooth 2.0, USB 2.0, and PDA-NRG. It's also offers a unusual feature that gives users the ability to use AA/AAA batteries as backup. This is certainly useful for those times when you forgot to charge the device's Li-Ion batteries.

There are no clear info on the launch dates and prices of these devices. I guess we all have to wait for further info on these Phillips touchscreen devices.

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Here's some great news for AT&T Mobile TV fans.

The LG Vu is now officially available at the AT&T online and retail stores. However, this may not be new to some mobile phone enthusiasts because the LG Vu has been on sale through a number of AT&T retail outlets for a few weeks.

The official launching of AT&T's LG Vu was scheduled to match the release of the carriers mobile TV. The often delayed AT&T Mobile TV was released last May 4 in three main packages. Customers can choose from Mobile TV Limited, Mobile TV Basic and Mobile TV Plus to find the package that suit their lifestyle.

Anyway, let’s get back to the LG Vu. At present, this cell phone offers the most advanced multimedia and entertainment capabilities packed in an ultra sleek design. This handset is one of the first touch screen devices to support AT&T Mobile TV. This means that it allows users to watch live streaming TV shows. The device is equipped with a large crystal clear display that is designed for web browsing, TV watching, and other applications.

Customers can get AT&'s The Mobile TV-supporting handset for $549.99 without a contract. They can get the LG Vu for a more manageable $299.99 after committing to a two year contract and a $100 mail-in rebate.

Here are the Included Features of the LG Vu:

* Large 3" interactive touch screen
* New! AT&T Mobile TV capable
* 2 MP camera with autofocus and video
* Music player with customizable equalizer
* Cellular Video - fast on demand access to video clips
* AT&T Music, Napster®, eMusic, MusicID, and XM radio capable
* Bluetooth® capability for music, TV and voice
* Wide screen for optimal TV viewing
* Ultra fast 3G data speeds
* Video Share calling capable
* Extendable TV antenna for enhanced TV reception
* Multimedia messaging - send text, pictures and video clips
* Instant Messaging - Yahoo!®, AOL®, and MSN® Messenger
* MicroSD(TM) card slot for extra memory
* FOTA capable - upgrade firmware over the air
* Multitasking - Use voice and data simultaneously
* Landscape HTML web browsing
* One-touch speakerphone
* USB mass storage
* Flight Mode

If you are a fan of AT&T's Mobile TV service then it would be ideal to get this handset. It's also a bit expensive so weigh you options before you sign a contract to get this handset.

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Here's some great news for mobile phone fanatics. Nokia has just announced the release of three new mobile phones that embodies the balance between mobile functionality and sophisticated handset design.

Customers can soon get their hands on the Nokia 6600 fold, the Nokia 6600 slide and the Nokia 3600 slide when they become available in the third quarter. These new Nokia phones present an appealing set of user-friendly features contained within a smooth, minimalist handset design. Let’s look at the details for each of the new wireless phone.

Nokia 6600 Slide

This new mobile phone is one of the smallest in Nokia's slider collection. With its glossy, high-quality steel covers and aluminum center key, the appearance of the Nokia 6600 Slide projects visual simplicity and understated elegance. It also offers a new and intuitive tapping feature. A hidden display conveniently indicates time, snoozes, alerts and silences or rejects incoming phone calls when the user taps the device twice.

The Nokia 6600 Slide sports a 3.2 megapixel camera that users can use to take high quality pictures and videos. They can then share these pictures and videos with others via multimedia message or online services. The device also offers a large 2.2" QVGA display with 16 million colors. Combined with the integrated Nokia Maps application and enhanced with an optional Nokia Bluetooth GPS Module LD-4W and separate navigation license, the display becomes a reliable tool to aid people in finding their destination.

Nokia 3600 Slide

This fresh Nokia wireless device was designed to attract users with a mix of tasteful colors, materials and tactile finishes, and a full range of the latest features. This device is beautiful to both sight and touch with its soft ceramic paint and metal combined with high gloss surfaces and gradated colors.

The Nokia 3600 slide earned the distinction of being the first background noise cancellation equipped handset from Nokia. Music lovers can listen to their favorite artists with the built-in music player of the Nokia 3600 Slide. They can also store up to 3000 favorite songs on an optional 4 microSD card.

A 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus and 2 LED flash is packed into this device's compact and stylish design. The Nokia 3600 slide's camera is an excellent tool for taking pictures or videos, even in dim lighting conditions. It also features a pre-installed Nokia Maps application with an optional Nokia Bluetooth GPS.

Nokia 6600 Fold

The elegant Nokia 6600 fold will opens to reveal a stunningly bright 2.13'' OLED screen displaying up to 16 million colors with one touch of a button. The signature "smooth back" of the Nokia 6600 fold creates a comfortable contour when open, and remains subtle and compact when closed thanks to its seamless design.

This device also offers the tapping feature which brings the high-gloss surface of the Nokia 6600 to life when tapped twice. The hidden outer display reveals time, incoming messages, missed calls and more when activated by a couple of taps. The same process applies when snoozing alerts and silences or rejecting incoming phone calls.

This device also offers 3G technology allows for faster pictures and videos sharing. The integrated 2 megapixel camera with double LED flash of the Nokia 6600 Fold can produce pictures worthy of being posted on Internet services such as Yahoo! Go or Flickr.

This new mobile phone unveiling is a good demonstration of why Nokia is the top mobile phone maker in the world. These attractive phones help to keep the company well out of reach of its closest rivals.

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What do you think about water powered cell phones? Wouldn't that be cool? In our present age where conservation and global warming have become major concerns, water powered mobile phones will surely appeal to many consumers.

It seems that Samsung is taking the eco-friendly route when they developed a micro-fuel cell and hydrogen generator that runs on water. This eco-friendly fuel cell may be able to power mobile phones in the near future.

But how will this process work? Well, according to Samsung researchers the metal and water in the phone react to produce hydrogen gas whenever the handset is turned on. This gas will then be fed into the fuel cell where it will react with oxygen and generate power. This approach is revolutionary and creative since other fuel cells require methanol to produce hydrogen. Here's the diagram that illustrates this unique fuel cell concept.

That's not all. According to Samsung researchers the new batteries can be more useful than normal batteries. You see, these newly devolped fuel cell can power a handset twice as long as rechargeable batteries. Estimates say that it can power a mobile phone for up to ten hours. That's incredible considering it only requires water.

Samsung engineers estimate that this new technology will be available in Samsung mobile phones in the year 2010. The research is expected to come up with handsets that would not require any hydrogewn cartidge change. The prototype models require a hydrogen cartridge change after every five days.

This is certainly a very interesting development. I'm a fan of conservation efforts so using a cell phone battery that does need electricity for power is very useful. A phone that runs on water is also great when you take a hike in the wilderness where to electrical source are available. You simply find some water to power up your handset. Electricity has become expensive and will probably become more pricier in years to come so renewable energy sources for mobile phones is a welcome idea.

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The increase in terrorist attacks in recent years and other security threats have resulted in the ban of using mobile phones on airplane flights.

The risks of crashes, mechanical failures and attacks are fairly high so this ban was widely accepted around the globe. After all, no one wants to take any risks while flying several thousand meters above solid ground. However, the European Union has decided to end this ban and allow the use of mobile phones during flights in European skies.

New European rules have apparently deemed that using mobile phones on airplanes have become safe. European airlines are expected to launch airplane mobile phone services within the next few months. This will make the Europe the first region to legalize the use of handsets in flights.

Naturally, this decision was met with alarm. For example, may experts emphasize that mobile phone signals could disrupt a plane's instruments and detonate explosive devices. However, European Union officials express confidence that new GSM technology developed in Europe would make sure that the risk of terrorism or interfere with flight instruments will not increase.
The technology has been thoroughly tested and safeguards will be enacted against the terror
threat.

Indeed, the officials are more concerned with noise generated by mobile phones than terrorism instrument interference. Mobile phone use in long flights could be a problem. Noise from ringing devices or message alerts might disrupt sleeping passengers.

European Union officials hope to reduce security risks by controlling the period or time frame in which mobile phones can be used. They plan to halt phone services during takeoff, landing or during turbulence. They also feel that using an onboard base station to link up to a satellite and then to ground networks will minimize security risks.

They are also looking into other issues that might surface as part of this decision. Of of this is the new price or fees that will be charged to passengers who ant to avail of the mobile phone services. The plan is to have regulators in charge of making sure that set fair rates for the service are observed by keeping a close eye on the airlines and phone operators.

This is certainly an interesting development. Maybe this concept will spread and eventually mobile phone use will be allowed in US flights. However, it make take more years for that too happen. The threat in the US may be too great and Sept. 11 is still fresh in America's memory. I don't think they'll be willing to take that risk since the War in Iraq is still mot completed. Nevertheless, those long European flights have become less boring now that we are allowed to use our handsets.

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There is no doubt that the iPhone is one of the most sought after handsets today. A week after it was released, between 250,000 to 700,000 iPhone units were sold. That's a truly impressive number for a handset that cost around five hundred dollars.

The success of Apple's handset has spurred the creation of similar devices. Recently, Sprint and Samsung worked together to create the Instinct, a high-end device projected to challenge the dominance of the top mobile device. Not to be outdone, Nokia has also been busy at creating a device to topple Apple's hit handset.

Recently, Nokia's response to the iPhone was shownthrough a slide at the Evans Data Developer Relations Conference in Redwood City, California. Observers noted that Nokia's device looks similar to the iPhone. The project was codenamed the "Tube" and was shown to feature a touch interface in the presentation. Apple's bestseller was dubbed "Puple2" during its development.

Nokia's device showed graphical displays and as a promotion for the movie Shrek the Third was shown. The ability to upload photos ans other capabilities will be featured on the device. The "Tube" will also support Java which was a bit of an issue with the iPhone.

Reports say that Nokia is confident that its project can match and may even overcome the success of the iPhone. The company's spokesman noted that the company has equaled the number of shipped iPhone units. As of now, the company has not yet set a shipment date for the "Tube."

I guess we all just have to wait and see if the "Tube" can indeed dethrone the iPhone. So far, other challengers have not been able to uproot Apple's top mobile phone. Developers are also trying to develop improvements for the iPhone and a 3G version is due yo be release this year. The device is already so popular that it has became a household name and so holds an advantage over the competition.

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Things are getting hot at the CTIA 2008 in Las Vegas, but things are also getting exciting in South Africa. The Growing Together 2008 conference held in Johannesburg, is the venue for Nokia's release of handsets meant for emerging mobile phone markets.

Let me give the details of the phones that were launched at the Growing Together 2008 conference. Let us begin with the Nokia 5000. This phone offers a powerful package at an affordable price. It offers a high resolution QVGA display, a 1.3 megapixel camera, FM radio with recording functionality, MP3 ring tones and other cool features for a reasonable price.

This mobile phone caters to users who travel frequently and mobile entrepreneurs because it supports email. It also offers other essential benefits such as Nokia Xpress Audio Messaging, Bluetooth and GPRS connectivity.

The Nokia 1680 Classic was also released at Johannesburg. This classic cellphone offers important mobile phone functionality with the added benefits of a basic digital camera. This device is being touted as one of most affordable cameraphones. Users will like the VGA camera and video recording that features one-touch access for photos and videos. However, this device offers much more than just a camera because consumers can also benefit from phone sharing functionality and easy access to email.

Another phone that was launched in the conference is the classy Nokia 7070 Prism. This handset's stylish, fold design sets it apart from other devices in the mobile phone market. it sports geometric patterns and external light effects that creates a unique fashionable appeal.

This is a great phone for people who like to personalize with themes, wallpapers, and MP3-grade ringtones. Users will stand out in a crowd with the Prism with the help of its voice recorder and integrated hands-free speaker.

The final Nokia handset that was released in South Africa is the 2680 slide. This handset is a slim cameraphone but is more than just a stylish device. It offers a balance of entertainment functionality and user friendly features. An FM radio with recording capability and MP3 ringtones, and an expanded phone book are examples of features that help to maintain this balance. Users can capture and share spontaneous moments with the aid of the integrated digital camera on the Nokia 2680 slide.

It seems that Nokia is committed into making a move on the emerging mobile phone markets in the Dark Continent. the release of these phones will pave the way for more mobile phone devices and services that will satisfy the demand of consumers in these markets. other Mobile phone manufacturers will surely follow Nokia's example and launch their own handsets.

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Recently, Reuters reported a significant development that may change the mobile phone manufacturing industry. It became clear that Motorola was unable to find quick fix solutions for its problems when it announced that it would split into two publicly traded entities next year.

This seems to be the right decision as Motorola's shares rose 26 cents to $10.02 after they made the announcement. The company has continued to suffer from market share losses to Nokia, Samsung Electronics and other top rivals. The company also suffered a huge a loss in market value of 60 percent to about $22 billion in just over a year forcing the company to form a plan to split.

The company is looking into separating its mobile phone unit from the rest of the business. Besides manufacturing mobile phone devices, Motorola also manufactures network equipment and television set-top boxes.

Experts think that this decision may be able to help the company's recovery. The mobile phone manufacturer may find it easier to negotiate a joint venture or a sale for the cell phone business. However, top talent could leave amid the uncertainty that is besieging the the company.

Motorola has also decided to give in to activist investor Carl Icahn's demands. However, Carl is still determined to pursue the proxy battle he has waged with Motorola. If Motorola agrees to place Keith Meister on the bored, then Icahn will take a less aggressive stance. Meister is the chairman of Icahn Enterprises and manager of the investor's $8 billion fund.

I hope that Motorola will be able to benefit from this decision. I also hope that they will continue to provide quality mobile phones to consumers. Competition between manufacturers ensures that they will continue to provide the best products possible so taking Motorola out of the competition may not benefit consumers.

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Customer migration is one of the significant factors that is causing the decline of Sprint Nextel. Many dissatisfied customers choose to end their relationship with Sprint to seek better from other mobile phone service providers.


One of the best indication that customers are dissatisfied with a service is the number of complaints or suits directed against that service or company. Customers usually only resort to legal action when they feel that they have been seriously wronged. Sprint Nextel is currently facing several class actions for a variety of reasons. The most recent one accuses the company of violating RICO laws.

The class action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama in Birmingham. Apparently, some consumers believe that they were not adequately informed about data fees accompanying picture mail service subscriptions so Sprint Nextel violated federal anti-racketeering laws.

Here is a statement from the suit,

“The purpose and intent of these deceptive, false, fraudulent and misleading advertisements was to entice and/or lure Sprint Nextel customers into purchasing the ‘Sprint Picture Mail’ plan for a $5/month service charge without disclosing the true charges associated with this add-on service, which were exorbitant and in many cases caused the purchaser’s bill to double.”

The complainants hope that by this suit Sprint Nextel will be forced to cease Picture Mail Plan advertising. They are also hoping that the company will disclose all related charges in itemized fashion on consumers’ bills. They are also hoping that they will receive compensation for expenses and damages.

It seems that Sprint Nextel is not getting any breaks this year. The continuing struggle of the company led some analyst to postulate that the company is heading into ruining. Unless the company can overcome the challenges, it may be absorbed by more successful rivals.

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I found this Research In Motion Press Release today when I was browsing through Mobile phone sites. This release formally announces that the BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8120 is now available to customers.

I learned that this device is suited for business customers. At&T's new device is a global handset with built-in Wi-Fi. It has a small and stylish design that combines multimedia functionality and business-grade communications. This device measures just 4.2” x 2.4” x 0.5” and weighs approximately 3.2 ounces so it is more compact compared with similar devices.

Business customers will be able to use the broadest domestic and international coverage area for wireless data services of any U.S. carrier with the help of the new BlackBerry Pearl 8120. The device features a large and ultrabright display that supports more than sixty thousand colors. .

At&T's BlackBerry Pearl 8120 is capable of the renowned BlackBerry e-mail and messaging qualities and premium phone features. When it is connected to a Wi-Fi network it gains simultaneous voice and data access.

This handset is aso al good choice if you are after multimedia capable devices. The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 features a 2-megapixel camera with video recorder1, an advanced media player, a 3.5-mm stereo headset jack, Bluetooth® 2.0 and externally accessible microSD/SDHC memory slot for additional storage. It also has support for Bluetooth accessories like headsets, car kits, stereo headsets.

Customers engage in business can extend the BlackBerry platform to public hot spots2, corporate wireless local area networks and home Wi-Fi networks and maintaining their existing BlackBerry security architecture at the same time. How is this possible? Well, this cool device provides support for Wi-Fi 802.11b/g networks.

Customers who travel abroad can also benefit from this device because of its global capabilities.
This handset complements AT&T's industry-best domestic and international wide area wireless data coverage. This means that users outside the US are who are abroad connected with wireless e-mail, Internet access and other mobile applications through data services. With this device they can make or receive voice calls in more than 200 countries. That is simply amazing!

If you want to check out or purchase this device then you should visit AT&T stores or its online site. I hope this information can be of service to you.

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