Mobiles

Verizon Wireless announced today the launch of VZ Navigator (Version 4), the newest version of its navigator service now able to access traffic incidents on major roadways, obtain traffic updates and find detours around traffic congestion and accidents.

VZ Navigator (Version 4) will initially be launched in 75 cities with more cities added in the coming year. The features will include 3D perspective view of maps, movie and events finder, weather reports and forecasts, and gas prices at nearby gas stations.

VZ Navigator service is a location-based service (LBS) application that uses location-based technology and real-time and historical information feeds. The new version offers the following features:

- Traffic Integration - Access routes to see whether traffic is impacted by traffic lights, heavy traffic or school zones, and tell how traffic is flowing with reported accidents, disabled vehicles and congestion
- Local Movies and Events - Search for show times, critics' ratings and details for movies, concerts, plays, sporting events, and other social events based on the physical location
- 3D Perspective View - Enhances navigation by displaying maps from angles customers would see through car windshields, making it easier to visualize turn-by-turn directions
- Gas Finder - Get information on the location of gas stations close by with reported gas prices
- Weather - View current weather conditions and forecasts based on the physical location without manually inputting an address

"With the new features of VZ Navigator, Verizon Wireless customers now have a powerful navigation device that not only gives them directions but also provides the latest traffic information and more," said Lee Daniels, vice president of consumer product development for Verizon Wireless. "The expanded services on VZ Navigator are another example of how we provide our customers with a great value for their wireless dollar - on the most reliable wireless network in the country."

VZ Navigator (Version 4) is available today for $9.99 for unlimited monthly access or $2.99 for one-day use.

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• AT&T Mobile TV Service Launches, Rivaling Verizon
• Verizon Wireless Offers Unlimited Internet and Email Plan
• Verizon Wireless VZ Navigator Adds Traffic Avoidance Feature
• Samsung Alias Dual-Hinge Clamshell Comes to Verizon Wireless

©2002-2008 Mobiledia Corp. A Cell Phone Resource Site. All Rights Reserved. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

We heard that Nokia E71 will be announced today (Thursday), Engadget has obtained some spyshots of the E71. Those also include a few snaps on the unannounced Nokia E66, a slider business phone without a QWERTY keyboard. Both the Nokia E66 and E71 get a 3.2 megapixel camera with a flash LED for low light photography.

Compare to Nokia E61/E61, the E71 is definitely a winner with a slimmer dimension. It is said to have built in GPS, WiFi, bluetooth and support HSDPA data connection. Not much info on the Nokia E66, though it is also possible that Nokia will announce the E66 together with the E71 today. Stay tune for more updates today!

Source [engadgetmobile]

Sprint and Google today announced a partnership aimed at integrating Google applications and services. As part of the deal, Google will become Sprint’s preferred mobile search provider and Sprint users will have easier access to Google Maps for mobile, YouTube and more.

Google will become the default search provider for web search and local search (GPS-enabled) on the Sprint portal on customers’ current web-enabled Sprint phones as well as new devices. On select new devices later this year, Sprint customers will be able to bring up a Google search box on their device’s home screen, providing them with one-click access to Google mobile search.

New Sprint handsets will also get the Google Maps for mobile, an application that enables users to view maps and satellite imagery, find local businesses, get driving directions and view real-time traffic information when they’re on the go.

Going forward, Sprint and Google will continue to explore ways to provide users with compelling mobile experiences and more application choices.

We have way too many leaked info here on the upcoming Sony Ericsson P5, codename “Paris”. Here comes the best spy photos on this baby today.

The leaked photo reveal a round D-pad button below the LCD screen, accompany with Answer Call/End Call button at two side. Picture from previous rumors also showing other shortcut buttons beside the D-pad, which might be the heat-sensor type buttons.

 

What we have knew is the device will be powered by UIQ 3.3, come with a secondary video call camera, GPS, 5 megapixel camera, WiFi, bluetooth and 3G connection. The keyboard will be similar to M600, which has 2 characters on a key. The P5 will also pre-installed with Google Map, Wayfinder and Opera Mobile software.

More photos at next page

Source [my-symbian]

LG has entered into a license agreement with Iridian Technologies, to license proprietary iris recognition software from Iridian. Though, they do not mention if this will be use for mobile phone or their other products.

In December 2006, Oki Electric has already announced their Iris Recognition Technology for Mobile Terminals in Japan. This technology is based on OKI’s original iris recognition algorithm using standard optical cameras that are equipped in mobile terminals.

While these devices require a dedicated infrared camera, the new Iris Recognition Technology for Mobile Terminals can use a standard camera that is embedded in a mobile terminal. This technology is embodied in a compact program for easy embedding, so it can authenticate the iris in a sufficient speed even when using the limited processing capacity of a mobile terminal.

The Research In Motion BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone is now officially available from Verizon Wireless, a few days ahead of schedule. The QWERTY candybar handset is slightly more consumer focused, with a 2 megapixel camera and standard 3.5mm audio port.
Read the full story here.

Tech editor Sierra Modro from GottaBeMobile.com did an in-depth video review of the Mobile Edge CuteBug Sheba, designed by Maddie Powers.  Here is a brief overview of what she wrote and a link of her video review below.

By Sierra Modro

I love bags. All shapes, all sizes, but especially the funky bags and especially anything retro and girly. When I was at CES, I came across the new line of women’s bags from Mobile Edge designed by Maddie Powers. These bags are definitely not your average black computer bags!

Mobile Edge has a complete line of Maddie Powers bags, including messenger bags and more traditional briefcases (with a twist). I was sent a CuteBug Sheba by Mobile Edge to review, and let me first say, what a adorable bag! Granted, I really like pink and not all people do, but… wow! Totally eye-catching and distinctive. This is not a bag that will blend in. And that’s just what I was looking for.

With this bag so focused on being stylish, my immediate concern was that it wouldn’t be functional. Luckily, the Sheba is as functional as it is attractive. This is a small bag, so don’t expect to carry everything you own in it, but it can hold more than you may think. Check out my video to see more about the carrying capacity of this fun bag. It’s also possible to over stuff the bag given the way the Velcro is used. You can close the Velcro in a wide range of positions to accommodate large loads. Given that the neoprene computer sleeve is removable, this bag actually can fill a variety of needs, not just lugging around the computer. It seemed to be relatively durable and has no visible marks after daily use for over a month.

This bag would be a great gift for a woman of any age who likes to stand out a bit in the crowd. (Hint: Mother’s Day is this Sunday) If you need a larger bag, check out the Sheba’s big sister, the CuteBug Laptop Messenger bag. It has similar styling, but it accommodates up to a 15.4″ screen system. With a large green graphic and purple velvet trim, this is also a very distinctive bag.

To read the full review visit the GottaBeMobile website by clicking here.

RIM BlackBerry Curve (8330) More Photos - View Specs

Verizon Wireless today announced the availability of the BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone on May 12.

The BlackBerry Curve is the smallest and lightest full-QWERTY BlackBerry smartphone, offering multimedia capabilities and services, allowing customers to stay connected to work, family and friends while on-the-go. The BlackBerry Curve 8330 includes the following capabilities and key features:

- BlackBerry Internet Service - access up to 10 supported POP3 and IMAP personal and corporate email accounts, including most popular ISP email accounts
- BlackBerry Professional Software for small businesses and BlackBerry Enterprise Server for enterprise deployments - advanced security and IT administration within IBM Lotus Domino, Microsoft Exchange and Novell GroupWise environments
- VZ Navigator - get visual and audible directions to a destination, locate businesses and other places in an area, get a map of a location, bookmark favorite spots and recent searches, and even share locations with others. Customers will be able to upgrade to the new VZ Navigator (Version 4) in the coming weeks, which will provide traffic updates, information on traffic incidents and detours around traffic congestion and accidents in 75 cities from coast to coast
- Small and light design that is easy to handle and use; measures 4.2" x 2.4" x 0.6" and weighs only 4 ounces
- Large, vibrant 320 x 240 px display, with light sensing technology that automatically adjusts brightness for optimal viewing in outdoor, indoor and dark environments
- Responsive full-QWERTY keyboard and RIM's intuitive trackball navigation system
- Premium phone features including: noise cancellation technology to offset background noise; Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD); dedicated "send," "end" and "mute" keys; and low-distortion speakerphone
- Bluetooth 2.0, with support for handsfree headsets, stereo headsets (Bluetooth stereo audio profile A2DP/AVRCP), car kits and other Bluetooth accessories
- 2.0-megapixel camera with support for video recording, a self-portrait mirror, enhanced flash and 5x zoom (microSD memory card required for video recording, sold separately)
- Easy access to the popular Facebook for BlackBerry Smartphones application
- 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack and dedicated volume controls
- Advanced media player and enhanced desktop media manager software that makes it easy to move media files between a PC and the BlackBerry Curve 8330 smartphone via High Speed USB 2.0 - USB Data Cable comes in-box
- microSD/SDHC memory card slot, providing plenty of additional storage (cards up to 8 GB are currently available)
- HTML Web browser delivers a fast, rich browsing experience and supports streaming video from sites like m.youtube.com (3GPP RTSP streaming protocol over EV-DO)
- Removable, rechargeable battery, rated for up to 260 minutes of talk time and up to 11 days of standby time
- In-box accessories include: a stereo headset, USB cable, travel charger and premium tote sleeve

The BlackBerry Curve 8330 is available for $169.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. An additional $100 credit toward the purchase of the handset is available for customers who sign up for qualifying voice and data plans at the time of purchase.

- RIM BlackBerry Curve (8330) Specs

Related News Articles

• AT&T Mobile TV Service Launches, Rivaling Verizon
• Verizon Wireless Offers Unlimited Internet and Email Plan
• Verizon Wireless VZ Navigator Adds Traffic Avoidance Feature
• Samsung Alias Dual-Hinge Clamshell Comes to Verizon Wireless
• Verizon Wireless XV6900 Touch-Screen Smartphone Unveiled

©2002-2008 Mobiledia Corp. A Cell Phone Resource Site. All Rights Reserved. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

In a major bet on WiMax wireless Internet, Sprint Nextel and Clearwire said today they would combine their networks in a new company with investment from Google, Intel and others.

The new company, which will retain Clearwire's name, will deploy a nationwide WiMax network, which promises faster speeds than the latest cellular networks for movies, games and other data services.

WiMax promises to blanket entire cities with Web access for laptops, cell phones and other wireless devices at fast speeds. It uses a licensed channel of radio spectrum and can transmit, according to its backers, to an area as much as 50 kilometers (30 miles) with a stronger signal than Wi-Fi and access faster than most current devices. It aims to have a service area covering as many as 140 million people in the United States by the end of 2010.

Sprint, which would otherwise have had to invest $5 billion on a solo WiMax network, will now inject WiMax assets valued at $7.4 billion into the venture, giving it 51 percent ownership.

"The power of the mobile Internet, which offers speed and mobility, home and away, on any device or screen, will fundamentally transform the communications landscape in our country," said Clearwire chairman Craig McCaw, who would become non-executive chairman of the firm to be based in Washington state.

"We believe that the new Clearwire will operate one of the fastest and most capable broadband wireless networks ever conceived, giving us the opportunity to return the US to a leadership position in the global wireless industry."

Rivals such as AT&T and Verizon Wireless have eschewed WiMax, opting instead for upgrades to their current wireless broadband networks and a future technology called Long Term Evolution. WiMax is available now and should give the new company a two-year head start in the so-called "fourth-generation," or 4G, telecommunications market.

Clearwire will sell WiMax services back to Sprint and the cable partners, through a "mobile virtual network operator," or MVNO, business model. There are no plans, however, to offer similar access to service providers not part of the joint venture.

The new Clearwire will cover a region with between 120 million and 140 million people in the US by the end of 2010. Upon completion of the deal, Sprint will own the largest stake in the new company with some 51 percent equity ownership. Clearwire shareholders will own around 27 percent and the new investors, as a group, will be acquiring an estimated 22 percent.

The deal, which has been approved by the boards of all companies involved, must be approved by Clearwire shareholders and regulatory agencies, but is expected to close during the fourth quarter. The company will apply for a Nasdaq listing under the ticker "CLWR" - the current symbol for Clearwire.

Related News Articles

• Sanyo Pro-200 and Pro-700 PTT Phones Announced for Sprint
• BlackBerry Curve 8330 Planned for Sprint
• Samsung Instinct iPhone-Competitor Unveiled for Sprint
• Sprint Offers Free Access to MySpace Mobile
• Sprint Shows Captions over the Internet for Deaf Customers

©2002-2008 Mobiledia Corp. A Cell Phone Resource Site. All Rights Reserved. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only.

Sprint Handsets to Feature Easy Access to Google Mobile Search, Google Maps for Mobile, YouTube and More
Read the full story here.