Technology News

Today we are hearing that a government official of Japan has said that they will aggressively push their mobile technology abroad, and this will include Japan’s popular wallet phone.

Japan has been known for many years to be at the forefront of technology, and their digital TV broadcasts, high-speed Internet connections, and electronics are some of the most sophisticated in the world.

They may have some of the latest technology around, but Japan has failed to make its mobile handsets, mobile services and wireless technology hits around the world.

There is a new initiative led by the Japanese government, including manufacturers and wireless carriers that will help Japan market their wireless technology to the world.

The flagship product will be their wallet phone; these devices have a FeliCa chip in each cellphone that will then communicate with a reader-device at vending machines, train stations and shops for payments via phones.

Would you use the Wallet phone for your cashless shopping?

Source: Read | View other cell phone news.

This is the Treo Pro and today two official press photos were released by Palm, you can also see a video of the Palm Treo Pro in action below this post.

The video and photos do not give us much information in the way of specification, although we do know that the Treo Pro will feature a high-resolution flush-fitting color touchscreen, Windows Mobile 6.1 OS, GPS and a one-touch Wi-Fi button.

Other leaked information has the Treo Pro also featuring 256MB ROM and 128MB RAM, a 400MHz processor, usually a microUSB connector, a 320×320 pixel display and 3.5mm headphone socket.

The last few specifications mentioned above are not official and should be treated as just rumor until we get official confirmation.

Currently we do not have a release date or price, but you can see some more photos on Slash Gear. Watch the video below or read other Palm News.

Apple created a buzz not so long back with the launch of the new iPhone 3G, but that soon turned to disappointment once they got their hands on these handsets. iPhone 3G users have been experiencing a number of problems; these include slow websurfing speeds, dropped calls and weak signals.

Apple have introduced a number of software updates to try and solve this issue, 2.0.2 software update is just the latest firmware update that Apple hoped to help solve these issues.

There have been reports that iPhone 3G users are still reporting problems after they have updated to firmware 2.0.2 software update. For those who were hoping that the new update would help solve these issues have been left disappointed.

There are reports circulating that Steve Jobs issued an internal memo saying “It was a mistake to launch MobileMe at the same time as iPhone 3G, iPhone 2.0 software and the App Store.” He also said “We all had more than enough to do, and MobileMe could have been delayed without consequence.”

Read the full story here

Apple is trying hard to win back support after the problems that plagued the launch of MobileMe in July. Apple has said that they will extend users accounts by another 60 days for free, that is on top of the 30-day free extension.

Apple has admitted that the service needs more work, although they have said that they have made a number of improvements to MobileMe. They still have a number of things they wish to improve; they are working hard to make MobileMe a service that they can be proud of.

Apple has said “We know that MobileMe’s launch has not been our finest hour, and we truly appreciate your patience as we turn this around.”

When MobileMe was first launched in July 10 it had a number of problems, these included a number of subscribers have trouble accessing the site. Some users lost e-mails as well as having problems accessing calendars and contact information.

Source

Nice to know that Apple has owned up to their mistakes and that they are trying to solve the problem.

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

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

Inspired by the use of these materials in a range of areas, including architecture, sports cars and aerospace, the Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte reflects a modern feel through the unique tones, textures and sculpted shapes that carbon fibre and titanium deliver.

In keeping with the tradition of the Nokia 8800 Arte range, each detail of the Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte is carefully considered to enhance the premium value and quality of the device. The minimalistic and seamless surfaces, slide mechanism and impressive weight of the phone all feature throughout the Nokia 8800 Arte line. Also available on the Nokia 8800 Carbon Arte are soundtracks and wallpapers created exclusively for the range.

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

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

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

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

It was once known to the world as The Googlephone and only a rumor, but today we are hearing things have been made even more official thanks to the FCC approving The HTC Dream phone.

Now that HTC Dream has received FCC approval, we can confirm that much of the rumor is more real now, although specs are still uncertain.

What we know is the handset is listed with a model of “DREA100” and the type is called “Dream”. Other confirmation comes in the form of a WiFi Interoperability Certificate; this shows the same model with 802.11b/g WiFi.

While its still a rumor that the Dream is indeed a Google Android phone, if this becomes true then HTC and T-Mobile are clear for a October launch as planned.

Other features are said to be a jogball and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR. You can read the source of these details at FCC WiFi Bluetooth, FCC Cell Radios and HTC Dream WiFi Certification (PDF doc).

Via Engadget | Read other news about Google Android

Traveling salesmen and business people love the RIM BlackBerry, but now Apple has made their iPhone 3G more loved by the business world, RIM need something new.

Titled the “iPhone 3G Killer”, the new BlackBerry Bold is a smartphone that can be the only phone for some users. They would not entertain any iPhone. The new BlackBerry Bold will aim at more than just a business user, it has been designed for ordinary people, and is Research In Motion’s most ambitious attempt yet.

The BlackBerry Bold has all the trademarks of previous devices, but this phone is also the best entertainment device BlackBerry has ever produced. The have raised their game in response to Apple’s iPhone 3G.

The Telegraph has taken a look at the features of both phones, they have compared Camera and GPS, Email, Look and usability, Web browsing and Multimedia. You can read their full review via the read link below this post.

In summery, they found iPhone 3G better for the consumer thanks to superb multimedia capabilities, but if future firmware updates give Apple’s iPhone the ability to edit documents on the go, it could become the business choice as well.

The BlackBerry Bold looks better than any of its predecessors, and it does more than the iPhone, although its design is still suited to the business user and not the consumer.

Source: Read

It was just under two weeks ago when we asked the question “Are T-Mobile planning HTC Google Android handset release at end of year?” and today we can confirm that T-Mobile will be the first carrier to offer a phone with Google Android.

We have posted many times about both the Android software and Open Source platforms; we are a big fan of Open Source and how it will help the consumer thanks to the whole community being involved.

NYT is reporting that HTC will make a phone based on Android that T-Mobile will carry, and this phone should go on sale before Christmas 2008. We are hearing that it may be released as early as October 2008.

The HTC “Dream” phone is rumored to feature similar capabilities to the iPhone and other high-end phones made by Nokia, Research in Motion and other brands.

Another feature of the phone is said to be a touch screen that slides out to expose a full five-row keyboard, and users will be able to download applications to customize their phones, similar to the iPhones platform.

The main thing that can hold up the release of this Android phone is certification from the Federal Communications Commission. You can read more information on NYT or read other Android news here.

We will update you as soon as we get a release date for an Android phone on T-Mobile.

Today we are hearing about three new phones released by Motorola, they are the W388, W396 and ZN200. All three of these handsets have different form factors and are designed for the user that wants a phone with good value for money.

The phone you see to the left is the Motorola ZN200, which is a slider phone that features a 2GB capacity microSD card slot, CrystalTalk technology, an FM radio, USB, Bluetooth, a 1.9 inch colour display, 2 megapixel camera with fixed-focus, GPRS, EDGE and quad-band GSM.

The Motorola W396 is in a clamshell design and features a weight of 88-94grams, a size of 95 x 45 x 17mm, a 2GB capacity microSD card slot, USB, FM radio, GPRS data transfers only, CrystalTalk technology, and a 1.8 TFT colour display.

Lastly is the Motorola W388 candy-bar that is probably the cheapest phone out of the three, it specifications include twin dual-band GSM versions with only GPRS, microSD, USB, FM radio with RDS and a 1.8 inch colour display.

Currently we have no pricing information on any of these phones but we do know they will be available in the third quarter of this year.

You can view photos of all three mobiles on Phones Review or read more news on phones here.

Source: Read

Research In Motion has announced that we can expect N. America to get the new Blackberry Bold 9000 within a month. This new handset from RIM is already for sale in Chile and Germany.

This phone is the first new Blackberry model in over a year, the Bold or 9,000 is a high-end Blackberry which offers twice the screen resolution of RIM’s current models. However it still does not have the size screen as Apple’s iPhone.

AT&T has announced that the Bold will be exclusive to them, much like the iPhone. This could have an effect on sales of the new Blackberry handset, however AT&T have declined to release any details as to the exact date of the phones launch.

Peter Misek, Canaccord Adams analyst expects that AT&T will start to sell the Blackberry Bold on September 15. Rogers Communications is expected to release the handset on Aug 18.

Source – Phones Review

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