Mobile Technology
Mobile Internet reaching critical mass
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A combination of device availability, network speeds, content availability and consumer interest has lead to mobile Internet use reaching critical mass, states a report by Nielsen Mobile. The paper predicts that we can expect to see a rapid growth in consumer adoption and mobile marketing in the following years. Mobile Internet use generated over $5 billion in 2007, and accounted for $1.7 billion in Q1 of this year. Read More
The Juicebar disposable mobile phone charger
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July 8, 2008 The mobile telephone gold rush has made a fair percentage of the world's nouveau very rich, and spawned a lot of accessories of dubious value - this doesn't appear to be one of them. Once you've realised how essential a phone is, having a dead battery is just not an option. Being stranded without communication is not only an exasperating problem, but it can also put you in a dangerous predicament when you need to make an emergency call. Enter the Juicebar Read More
RIM to release FlipBerry?
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July 7, 2008 Rumors of a low cost BlackBerry clamshell phone have been doing the rounds for a while now and appear to have reached critical mass. According to reports the new BlackBerry KickStart, will sell on US wireless provider T-Mobile for US$49.99 after subsidy with September the expected release date. RIM’s entry into the lower end of the market could well be in anticipation of the effect the imminent release of the iPhone will have on their traditionally higher-end market. Read More
The Neo FreeRunner open source mobile phone
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While Android, the open mobile platform developed by an alliance of some of the mobile phone and computing world’s biggest names, has attracted a lot of interest and support since it was announced late last year, it wasn’t actually the first open mobile computing platform. That title goes to Openmoko – a project founded by Taiwanese computer and components manufacturer First International Computer, Inc. (FIC), with the combined aims of developing an open source Linux based operating system designed for mobile phones and hardware devices on which the operating system, called Openmoko Linux, runs. The first smartphone released that supported the Openmoko Linux platform was the Neo 1973, which was released in July, 2007 but suffered from supplier shortages. Now Openmoko has announced their follow up – the Openmoko Neo FreeRunner – a mobile device that the company says will help to enable ubiquitous computing in the 21st century. Read More
Polaroid PoGo Instant Mobile Printer
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The new Polaroid PoGo Instant Mobile Printer allows users to print photos from their mobile phone or digital camera as soon as they take them. The pocket-sized inkless printer is portable, stylish and easy to use. Read More
Motorola Blaze to enter the touchscreen phone arena
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June 6, 2008 Motorola’s yet-to-be-released iPhone competitor is the Motorola Blaze, which boasts a haptic-feedback touchscreen with a protective flip top transparent plastic cover which also allows for the unit to be used with the cover closed. The phone also sports a 2 megapixel camera, EV-DO, GPS, Bluetooth and MobileTV. Read More
The Quick Draw Clip System for personal organisation
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For most people, the mobile telephone is their principal business tool. It needs to be conveniently accessible wherever they are for optimum productivity. If you move beyond your desk regularly, that means carrying it with you without losing that accessibility. The Quick Draw Clip System offers an instant, accessible and secure way to carry cell phones, iPods, GPS, gloves, cameras, tools, keys, two-way radios or anything else you can come up with! Read More
Optoma Pico Handheld Projector
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June 21, 2008 The promise of micro projector systems integrated into our phones, PDAs and video iPods has been one we have awaited expectantly for so long that it has almost achieved vapourware status. Now Optoma has announced the first Pico projector based on the DLP Pico chipset will available be THIS year. Smaller than most smart phones, this new micro-portable projector fits in your palm and is the ideal companion to ultra-portable media devices such as iPods, PDA's, smart phones and digital cameras. That’s an iPod driving the device in the image – can’t wait for this one! Read More
BlueAnt releases portable Text-to-Speech speakerphone
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Anticipating the changing of handsfree driving laws in the US, BlueAnt Wireless’ has released a new portable speakerphone device called the Supertooth 3 Bluetooth Handsfree, which incorporates advanced ‘Text-to-Speech’ technology with voice prompts providing guidance to help users pair the device and upload their mobile phone’s address book. The unit supports a selection of six different languages including American English, Spanish, French, Italian, German and British English, so that when a call is received, the Supertooth 3 announces the incoming caller’s name or Caller ID and the user can then verbally accept or reject the call. Read More
Nuance demonstrates open voice search prototype
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June 12, 2008 Nuance Communications has shown a prototype "open voice search" application on the Apple iPhone that promises simple “say anything” mobile web search capabilities. Read More
3G iPhone revealed
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June 10, 2008 After months of speculation the odds were pretty safe - Apple has announced the roll-out of the new iPhone™ 3G.
New Jawbone Bluetooth headset
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Aliph has introduced a new version of its Jawbone Bluetooth Headset, which won an International CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award last year. The new model is 50% smaller than its predecessor and up to ten times more effective than competing headsets at eliminating background noise according to the manufacturers. Read More
Special Forces Smart Noise Cancellation Ear Buds with built-In GPS
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With more than half the world carrying a mobile phone and some of the best brains in the world focussed on differentiating the next generation of mobile services and functionality, it was interesting to see Silynx’s C4OPS GenNext headset system displayed for the first time at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in Florida recently. Most of the functionality does not translate readily to non-combat environments, but what it can do is simply amazing. Read More
The 3G Apple iPhone - what are the real chances?
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June 5, 2008 You know an event has captured public interest when the bookmakers start laying odds, so you’d better believe that next Monday’s Keynote by Steve Jobs is now an event of international import. The latest odds suggest he’ll be pulling the wraps off a "thin" (less than 0.46in or 11.6mm deep) iPhone with 3G and 32GB of memory and that Apple's stock (AAPL) will close higher than its opening value that day. You knew that? Then put your money where your mouth is, Mr Smartypants, because the odds on offer are much better than bank interest. Read More
ModeLabs unveils Bluetrek Metal Bluetooth headset
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ModeLabs Group has added the 4mm thin Bluetrek Metal to its line of Bluetooth products. The 5.5-gram model uses a sturdy metal framed design and promises up to five hours in talk mode and more than seven days in sleep mode. Read More
Gresso White Diamonds luxury mobile phone collection
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Not satisfied with the innocuous grey or black of standard mobiles? Perhaps these unique diamond encrusted phones from Gresso are what you’ve been looking for. But such exclusivity comes at a price - 9,000 and 33,000 euros (around US$14,000 and $52,000) depending on the model. Read More
TRAX Series portable car navigation systems offer 360 degree, 3D view
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May 27, 2008 Uniden's new TRAX Series GPS units feature 360 Degree 3D "Landmark Technology" which shows key landmarks in 3D from any angle including a ‘fly around’ 360 degree mode. In major metropolitan areas elevated city maps, contours and rises on the road are also represented in 3D from any angle. The TRAX Series also include Text to Speech with Spoken Street Names and, as with Uniden’s previous releases, some models also include integrated Bluetooth capabilities to deliver hands-free mobile phone communication via the unit. The high definition, LCD touch screens are non-reflective for easier viewing and there is also an automatic day/night mode. Read More
SanDisk's new line of premium mobile phone memory cards
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May 23, 2008 Using mobile phones for multimedia activities has increased as phones have crammed more and more multimedia capabilities into their ever shrinking housings. SanDisk’s new Mobile Ultra microSD/microSDHC and Memory Stick Micro (M2) flash mobile memory cards, aim to meet the storage and speed requirements of digital photography, music downloads, videos, and GPS functionality that have become standard on such devices. Read More
3G iPhone to be available June 9
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Tried to buy an iPhone recently? If you have, you’ve probably found it very difficult to get hold of one as stocks appear to have been depleted to zero. That was the first sign that the rumours of an impending launch of Apple’s next generation 3G iPhone were not just accurate but very close. Gizmodo today claims to have confirmed that the new 3G model will be announced at the WWDC Keynote on June 9 and immediately available in countries with current official availability! Whatsmore the new model will also herald new sales policies in some countries. Italy's Jack magazine has the first image of the 3G phone. Read More
More iMitation iPhone iClones
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No-one is in any doubt about how hot the iPhone since its June 2007 birth. Fueling the hype on the basis that “imitation is the most sincere form of flattery” are a bunch of phones spied by Todd Robbins this week in Bangkok. Read More
BlackBerry's Bold smartphone
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Research In Motion (RIM) has introduced the first BlackBerry smartphone to support tri-band HSDPA high-speed networks around the world and comes with integrated GPS and Wi-Fi, plus a next-generation 624 MHz mobile processor for downloading email attachments, streaming video or rendering web pages. The BlackBerry Bold also gets a newly designed full-QWERTY keyboard, with AZERTY and QWERTZ configurations to support different language groups also available, and a half-VGA (480x320 resolution) color LCD, which is fused to the undersurface of the lens, improving definition and clarity. Read More
HTC launches Touch Diamond mobile phone
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May 9, 2008 Drawing immediate comparisons with Apple's iPhone, Taiwanese handset manufacturer HTC has unveiled its new flagship product, the HTC Touch Diamond. The new handset is the latest addition to the company's product platform which began with the launch of the HTC Touch in June 2007 and boasts an array of innovative features led by a 3D touch interface called TouchFLO 3D and enhanced web-browsing capabilities that enable one-handed zoom and panning navigation plus automatic rotation from a portrait to landscape view when the device is turned on its side. Housed in an eye-catching brushed steel casing with faceted edges, the handset also sports a 3.2 megapixel auto-focus camera, 4 GB internal memory, Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi 802.11b/g and integrated GPS. Read More
Nokia's sleek new handset offerings
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May 8, 2008 Nokia has unveiled three new mobile handsets - one folding and two sliding units - ahead of a planned release in the third quarter of 2008. With an emphasis on compact, minimalist design, the Nokia 6600 fold, the Nokia 6600 slide and the Nokia 3600 slide also boast some clever (if not completely ground-breaking) functionality aimed at making the phones easier to use. Putting the 6600 to "sleep" to reject incoming phone calls, for example, is achieved by tapping the cover of the twice and the same convenient process is used to "wake" the handset up again. The more distinctive charcoal and wine colored 3600 slide is also the first Nokia product to feature background noise cancellation. Read More
Phone charger incorporates automatic data back-up
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Losing or having you mobile phone stolen without having the contacts and other important information it contains securely backed-up is a sure-fire way to give yourself one very big headache. Given the fact that some of us are a little lazy when it comes to this task, but all of us have to charge our phones, this innovation makes perfect sense. The aptly named "Data-backup mobile phone charger" automatically performs the task of backing-up your contacts whilst your phone is charging, and not only that, the multi-talented device also acts as a portable power supply in case you run out of juice away from mains power, as well as a SD/MMC card reader. Read More
Samsung's G800 high end photography camera phone
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May 7, 2008 Some six months after its introduction in Europe, Samsung has launched the G800 mobile phone in Australia. An addition to its high end Photography Camera Phone range, the 5-megapixel G800 brings features common in most digital cameras into a mobile phone" target="_blank">mobile phone including Optical Inner Zoom, Xenon Flash, Power LED, Image Stabiliser, Red Eye Reduction, Panorama Shot as well as Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) and Face Detection. Read More
The Smellophone
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In terms of the human senses, (sight, sound, touch, smell and taste) we’ve already been able to synthesize pretty realistic visual, audio, and touch digitally, and we’ve previously written about research work in the taste area. Now a German syndicate has filed a patent for applications allowing users to send scents via cell phones, and expects the new capability will reach market less than two years from now with about 100 different prefabricated scents on the required chip. Not surprisingly, there are many applications for this technology, ranging from sweet smelling MMS greetings, to branded advertising samples for perfume manufacturers, to scent enhanced games for mobile phones and computers providing an additional sensory element for an outstanding gaming experience. Read More
TomTom unveils new car navigation products
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May 5, 2008 Portable navigation solutions provider TomTom has announced their latest car navigation products – the TomTom ONE and TomTom XL which supersede the current TomTom ONE 3RD EDITION and TomTom ONE XL ranges. The new TomTom ONE comes with a 3.5 inch touch screen LCD, while the TomTom XL boasts a 4.3 inch widescreen LCD, for those who prefer a larger display. The new devices also come with a revised audio system and a completely redesigned body, including a folding mount. This new windshield mount, known as the EasyPort mount, can be left on the device and folded flat after use. The complete unit, including the mount, is then small enough to fit into a shirt pocket, bag or pocket when the driver leaves the vehicle. Read More
Mobion Fuel Cell GPS
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We’ve been writing about the coming of micro fuel cell technology to replace current lithium ion and similar rechargeable battery systems in hand-held electronic devices for a long time now, with prototype devices from Toshiba and MTI Micro being the most prevalent. While it’s been a long time in coming to market, fuel cell technology will almost certainly eventually prevail, so the showing of an embedded fuel cell prototype handheld GPS device at the 10th Annual International Small Fuel Cells Conference on the weekend is significant. Based on direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) technology, MTI Micro’s Mobion power packs promise an increase in run time (time until a recharge is needed) of between two to ten times over the status quo of existing battery technologies. Read More
Tag Heuer's US$6200 Meridiist mobile phone handset
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April 23, 2008 If your Swiss watch has been complaining that it doesn't want to be seen in public with your mobile phone any more, you could do worse than check out Tag Heuer's first foray into the handset market. The Meridiist will feature high-grade steel casings, unscratchable dual crystal displays and nearly a month of standby time. Naturally it looks very classy too, but at up to US$6200, without any mention of 3G connectivity, it could be more a piece of palm jewelery than a serious telephone. Read More
The Scroll: left-of-center hand-held electronics design
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April 18, 2008 The last decade has seen a meteoric explosion in the shape, size and functionality of hand-held electronic devices with all sorts of innovations from sliding keyboards to touch screen interfaces thrown at the feet of the consumer. Proof that we haven't yet seen it all, The Scroll is a blue-sky design concept that takes a format used by medieval town criers, turns it sideways and shoe-horns it into the 21st century by incorporating a mobile phone, hand-held computer, camcorder and sliding LCD screen. Read More
AuthenTec launches new protective packaging for mobile fingerprint sensors
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April 16, 2008 AuthenTec has announced a thin, durable, waterproof, and surface-mountable covering for its TruePrint biometric fingerprint sensors. Known as TouchStone, the thin casing triples the protective coating over the sensitive technology, shielding it from accidental scratching by coins, keys, pens and anything else you may find in your pocket. Read More
CSR demonstrates ultra low power Bluetooth
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April 15, 2008 CSR has given the first public demonstration of its Ultra Low Power (ULP) Bluetooth silicon at the Continua Health Alliance medical conference in Luxembourg. The demonstrations showed that CSR’s ULP Bluetooth silicon consumes 10 times less power than standard Bluetooth when connectable. Read More
Zeemote wireless controller for mobile phones
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April 9, 2008 The US$38 billion video gaming market thrives due to innovative input devices and one of the most interesting new additions is the Zeemote JS1 - a wireless controller that enables what the developers claim is near-console game play on mobile phones. Created by the team that developed the first force feedback joystick for PC gaming, the Zeemote controller fell into the hands of Dave Weinstein at CTIA and Dave reports the new phone peripheral is responsive, ergonomic and functional and just might help us past trying to game comfortably on a phone using controls designed for some other purpose. Read More
Shoot-to-Translate: killer mobile phone app for travelers
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April 7, 2008 Nokia unveiled a plethora of mobile phone functionality concepts last October at The Way We Live Next briefing in Finland and tucked away behind the high profile apps was a simple shoot-to-translate function. Inveterate traveler Dave Weinstein dropped in at CTIA last week and reports that he focussed straight away on the cameraphone translator that can supposedly translate Chinese to English from a photo taken on the phone. “You can imagine how useful it would be for me, but it was just a technology demo. They wouldn't let me load the app on my phone or tell me any real info about it”, says Dave, who spends most of his time in Beijing these days.
Momenta neck-worn PC - another Black Box Life Recorder
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April 7, 2008 It seems inevitable that we’ll eventually all record our live digitally, and the Momenta neck-worn PC is the first viable design we’ve seen to facilitate such functionality. It’s similar in functionality to Microsoft’s ongoing Sensecam project we reported on a few years ago, as it is designed to capture the best and most exciting moments of your life. If you’ve ever thought, "I wish I had that on tape", when everybody is laughing themselves to tears, Momenta has already captured the previous five minutes in its rolling buffer and continues to record until you tell it to stop. Triggered by increased heart rate, it captures those hilarious or exciting moments that are usually lost forever. Two others we really like are the AlphaGrip HC (an ergonomic handheld) and a palette for digital artists.
