Mobiles

Today Skype released a beta version of Skype for mobile phone, works on about 50 of the most popular Java-enabled mobile phones from Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson. The beta version of Skype mobile is available worldwide with a feature set that includes chat, group chat, presence (seeing when your contacts are online), and receiving calls from Skype users, and through SkypeIn.

Skype-to-Skype and SkypeOut calls from the mobile handsets are initially supported in seven markets: Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

“These are still the early days for making Skype calls on mobile phones, but we’ve already made great strides in this space,” said Gareth O’Loughlin, general manager, mobile and hardware devices. “Among other things, we have a great relationship with 3, the mobile operator, which has brought the mobile Skype experience to eight markets through the 3 Skypephone and a range of other packages and phones. Skype for your mobile will expand the available options even further.

With its beta version, Skype for your mobile enters a public testing phase that will help Skype gauge the response of technology-savvy users whose feedback will help tweak the offering. This phase is expected to last several months, after which a public version of the application will be made available to millions of mobile phone owners around the world.

There are two ways to get the beta version of Skype for your mobile: as a direct over-the-air download to a compatible mobile phone, or it can be downloaded to a computer and then transferred to the phone. For instructions, please visit www.skype.com/go/mobiledownload . This Web page also includes a directory of currently supported mobile phones and the list of markets where the full feature set is available.

DISH Network Corporation and Alcatel-Lucent today announced that DISH Network will test the DVB-SH (Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite services to Handhelds) mobile broadcast technology in the United States, with the appropriate DVB-SH equipment, test tools and training provided by Alcatel-Lucent. This evaluation will take place in DISH Network’s laboratories in Atlanta, Ga. from May to August 2008, with the ultimate objective to validate the performance and cost-efficiency of the DVB-SH standard.

DVB-SH is an evolution of DVB-H and a powerful mobile broadcast standard allowing cost-effective mobile TV deployments. It can be used in any frequency spectrum below 3GHz, including UHF, L band and S band, and in terrestrial, satellite or hybrid networks. The DVB-SH waveform definition was published by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute(ETSI) in March 2008.

“As is our history, DISH Network continues to explore new, cutting-edge technology for consumer applications,” said Nolan Daines, senior vice president of Strategic Initiatives for DISH Network. “Considering the global momentum of DVB-SH, we decided that performing a critical analysis of this new open standard was the right thing to do for DISH Network. We look forward to working in tandem with Alcatel-Lucent during this testing phase.”

via [phonemag] via [engadgetmobile]

It’s an innovative way to recharge iPhone and iPod Touch batteries. You may consider to use The WildCharge Adapter. While WildCharge wire-free charging technology is located on the back of the case (called “Skins”), so you just need to slip your iPhone or iPod touch into the case and then drop it anywhere on the WildCharger charging pad. It’s that easy.

The WildCharger pad can charge up to five devices simultaneously.

Before making the purchase, the reviewer emphasized, factor in the price of $60 for the WildCharger pad and an additional $35 per adapter for your iPhone, iPod touch, BlackBerry 8800, Pearl or a third-gen iPod should be considered.

Ship date is still officially undetermined, but the iPhone and iPod touch cases should launch next month.

Yes, I personally want to purchase this adapter to recharge my BlackBerry Curve 8310 and N95 8GB handset.

Read full review and see more pictures in iPhoneBuzz

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) sold 1.7 million iPhones during its second quarter, up from first quarter shipments of 1.1 million units. Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer said the company is still committed to reaching 10 million iPhones sold during 2008.

The iPhone sales brought in $378 million in revenue for the quarter, which saw iPhone sales beginning in both Austria and Ireland. Apple also noted that 200,000 developers have downloaded its SDK and about one-third of the Fortune 500 has asked about iPhone applications.

The next big mobile launch for Apple will be the 3G iPhone, which carrier partner AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is already hinting at. The HSDPA phone is expected to be announced in June.

It appears that AT&T is planning a big push in the femtocell market here in the U.S. A published report states that AT&T, the country's largest carrier, has agreed to purchase up to a half billion dollars worth of femtocells from a UK based firm.
Read the full story here.

Fresh on the tail of the announcement of new unlimited plans, Skype has quietly released a beta version of its mobile client. The new app is Java-based, which means it should run well on most regular cell phones.
Read the full story here.

Nokia N95, Nokia Maps and Accessories Included in Special Edition Automobile
Read the full story here.

Apple has released its fiscal year Q2 2008 financial reports and the results show a decrease in both iPod and iPhone sales versus the prior quarter, with revenue and total profits dropping as well.
Read the full story here.

Nokia E71 and E66 have been leaked again. Today the photos include part of the back design of both phones. With a 11mm thickness, the rumor Nokia E71 will come with a 3.2 megapixel camera, microSD card slot and built-in GPS. WiFi, HSDPA and bluetooth are all included without a miss.

Nokia E66 (the last photo below) will also get a 3.2 megapixel camera. Both camera module on E71 and E66 support auto focus and have a built in flash LED. Both models should be high end business phone with GSM Quadband, HSDPA, WiFi, GPS, bluetooth and expansion card slot built in.

Source [mobile01] via [engadget]

Renault Brazil and Nokia Brazil have joined forces to offer a Renault model with a complete Nokia mobility solution. The Sandero special edition includes the flagship multimedia computer, the Nokia N95, with an integrated Global Positioning System (GPS), pre-loaded Nokia Maps service and Bluetooth connection. It also brings the Nokia LD-3W GPS module and is integrated with the Nokia CK-20W, an automobile accessories kit.

Sandero Nokia is the first compact vehicle in the Brazilian market to come factory-equipped with GPS. Created from the most inclusive version of Sandero’s family of automobiles, Privilège 1.6 16V Hi-Flex, the special series Sandero Nokia has a suggested retail price including shipping of EUR 17,650. Only 1,000 units will be manufactured.

“This car will appeal to a target audience of young, energetic males who want the industry-leading mobile technology of Nokia combined with the quality of a Renault Sandero,” said Rodrigo Link, Manager, Enhancements Sales, Nokia Brazil. “This marks the next generation of mobile connectivity.”

Some of the key features of the Sandero Nokia include an audio streaming function that enables the driver to listen to music stored on his Nokia N95 through Sandero Nokia’s speakers via a wireless connection; access to maps of the main cities in Brazil that are already included in the memory; and a Bluetooth System for telephone calls which allows drivers to utilize a microphone inserted into the upper part of Sandero Nokia’s windshield and to listen to calls through the vehicle’s audio system.