Mobiles

According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, mobile phone shipments in the United States defied the economic gloom and grew 6 percent annually, to reach 47 million units during the third quarter of 2008. Samsung outperformed, making it the market leader in the US for the first time.

Neil Mawston, Director at Strategy Analytics, said, “Despite the financial crisis, mobile phone shipments in the United States reached 47.4 million units during Q3 2008, up 6.2 percent from 44.6 million in Q3 2007. Attractive bundling schemes from operators, healthy subsidies and aggressive pre-stocking by distributors ahead of the holiday season helped to lift volumes.”

Bonny Joy, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics, added, “Samsung had a strong quarter. Samsung registered 22.4% marketshare in the US during Q3 2008, enabling it to reach first position for the first time in its history. Samsung’s growing retail presence and an attractive handset portfolio for each of the big four operators proved crucial in grabbing the prestigious title of the number one vendor in the world’s single largest handset market.”

Other findings from this Strategy Analytics report, Vendor Share: Samsung Goes Top in North America in Q3 2008, include:

• RIM maintained a double-digit marketshare for the second straight quarter. Its balanced portfolio of enterprise and consumer devices is seeing solid demand;
• Apple reached 6th position in the USA during Q3 2008. AT&T subsidized the iPhone heavily down to lower retail price-points, driving a spike in demand.

Samsung and Bell are dialing up high style with the launch of the ultimate must-have for any text-messaging maven - the Samsung CLEO. Adding a touch of haute couture to text messaging, the CLEO features a full QWERTY keypad, ability to view text messaging threads, and colour LCD screen. It will be available in pink, champagne and blue, is loaded with a 1.3 megapixel camera, built-in MP3 player and supports 8 GB of expandable memory.

Bell Mobility will offer all CLEO colour models across Canada while Solo Mobile will offer the champagne CLEO. Samsung is also partnering with Bell to offer the perfect holiday gift - the Kisses from CLEO gift set featuring the Samsung CLEO, a decorative phone charm, a Cake Kiss mulberry sorbet lip butter and a 15% discount coupon for Cake Beauty products. The Samsung CLEO is available for as little as $49.95 on
a three-year contract.

In continuation of its love of fashion, Samsung has launched a national contest where one lucky winner will fly to Toronto to meet with Katya Revenko and be fitted for a custom designed dress. Contest details can be found at www.kissesfromcleo.com or www.baisersdecleo.com.

[via unwiredview]

Companies like Sony understand the simple logic in combining two of their areas of expertise into a single device. In this case their commitment to audio-playing technology fuses flawlessly with their cell phone units. Enter the W705, Sony's latest Walkman phone with Clear Bass, Clear Stereo, premium headphones, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

The handset features a large 2.4-inch screen in elegant and compact slider form and a 3.2-megapixel camera. The W705 also includes popular Walkman features such as the music recognition application: TrackID and SensMe, for matching any mood to the music. Shake control allows users to change tracks with the flick of the wrist. PlayNow Arena provides unique themes and wallpapers, ringtones, and DRM-free music tracks.

The Sony Ericsson W705 will be available in early 2009 in Luxury Silver and Passionate Red color options.

For full specs, click here.
See full article.

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Microsoft Partners Up With LG - 03 November 2008

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A new idea could turn the iPhone into an online-savvy gaming device. Steve Demeter, developer of the popular iPhone game, Trism, calling developers  to embed his very own tool called Onyx Online. By using a new piece of software, they can immediately add social networking features to their games.

He said:

“If there is a social aspect it’s an island. If these users are playing Trism, they’re playing Trism; it’s an island. How does that tie into other puzzle games? If players are still connected to a larger whole then they’re more likely to keep playing other games.”

Sounds interesting. He convinced the developers that the social-networking aspect of Onyx would benefit them as well as users. So, just try this free software.

[via Wired Blog]

The new version of Windows Mobile is no longer rumor: Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has confirmed it. But, wait, this one is Windows Mobile 6.5, instead of Windows Mobile 7!

There is some progress out there at Microsoft in Windows Mobile area, but nothing of it has been released yet (we expect official launch of Windows Mobile 6.5 at Mobile World Congress 2009 in February 2009 and official launch of Windows Mobile 7 at the same event in 2010).

[MSMobiles via PocketNow]

Mobile Edge, the industry leader in innovative and stylish laptop computer carrying cases and accessories, expands their collection of Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags by adding three new carrying cases designed specifically for women.  These chic cases combine the fashion styling of our best selling women’s cases with Checkpoint Friendly functionality, quality materials and the computer protection that only Mobile Edge can offer!

Designed for women by women, the new ScanFast™ for Her Carrying Cases are the first of their kind.  Mobile Edge is the exclusive manufacturer to create women’s specific Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags. 

The new ScanFast for Her Collection exceeds all Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines to be Checkpoint Friendly.  Now travelers can leave their laptop in their case when passing through airport security checkpoints.

As the industry leader in women’s fashionable laptop carrying cases, it was inevitable we would be the first to introduce Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Cases for women. We understand professional business women deserve choices, and now we own the category.

The redesigned Element Briefcase will come in three suede color combinations, forest green, pink and chocolate all accented with brown trim.  The smart Onyx Backpack and the all new Onyx Briefcase both come in black.  Scheduled to ship in late November, the ScanFast for Her Cases will each carry a retail price of $99.99.   

Mobile Edge continues to expand the laptop carrying case category by offering new, innovative and smart designs that fuse fashion trends with form and function, creating a brand that makes a positive statement about today’s mobile computing lifestyle.

Be the first to get your hands on one of the new ScanFast for Her Laptop cases.  Sign up for the Mobile Edge newsletter to receive periodic announcements of new products.  We also include special discounts and promotion offers to those signed up. 

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Winter is coming and the skiers are getting excited. Just in time for the first snowfall of the year, Useful Networks has launched a new iPhone app which combines all the tools skiers and snowboarders need, both on and off the mountain.

The Snocator application uses interactive GPS trail maps to show users exactly where they are on the mountain. Users can also check snow reports, mountain cams and weather forecasts to get up-to-date information on their favorite resorts as they plan their next ski vacation, or just their afternoon on the slopes.

Built for snow sports addicts by snow sports addicts, Snocator is the only iPhone application to use location-enabled ski maps to show snow sports enthusiasts where they are on the mountain, with all nearby lifts, runs, lodges, terrain parks and more pictured in detail.

The mapping feature is available at most ski resorts in the U.S. and Canada. Snow reports, mountain cams, and weather info are available for most ski resorts worldwide.

"Snocator is the ultimate guide for skiers and snowboarders, whether they are beginners or seasoned pros," said Useful Networks CEO Brian Levin. "With Snocator, anyone can find their exact location on the mountain on a detailed map showing lifts, runs and lodges."

Snocator is available at major ski resorts in the U.S. and Canada and works anywhere users have a data signal or Wi-Fi connection with the iPhone. It is currently selling for $5.99 and you can check out more info, read reviews and buy it for your iphone by clicking here.

Not convinced Mobile Commerce is hitting the mainstream? Well check this out- Sears.com today announced the launch of Sears2go - a mobile commerce Web site which enables customers to find and buy select Sears.com merchandise from their mobile phone.

"In Sears' continued effort to innovate and serve our customers as they adopt new technologies, Sears2go makes it easier than ever to cut out the holiday shopping hassles and shop from the convenience of your mobile phone," said Ravi Acharya, Director of eCommerce at Sears Holdings. "More and more customers are using their mobile phones to shop online and Sears2go is completely geared for mobile devices with an emphasis on speed, usability and security. So, whether you're stuck on the commuter train or waiting for your child's holiday concert to begin, you can get your shopping done - ultimately leaving more time for you!"

Sears2go lets customers select products from a wide variety of categories, including apparel, electronics and computers, fitness and sports, jewelry, tools, toys and games with home delivery or in store pickup. After purchasing an item on Sears2go, shoppers picking up their order in store will receive a text message alert when their merchandise is ready for pick-up.

Many of the same features available on Sears.com will be available through Sears2go, providing a streamlined, consistent experience. Functional features, such as product search/browsing, shopping cart and checkout, gifts, product reviews, store locator, special offers and order status make mobile shopping just as easy as shopping online.

The site is powered by Usablenet, a NY based mobile partner for leading brands.

"We're proud to be working with Sears to deliver the convenience of mobile browsing and purchasing to its customers," said Nick Taylor, President of Usablenet. Usablenet Mobile is a fully managed service that leverages the features and functionality of a company's existing Web site and extends it to all mobile devices worldwide in less than six weeks, requiring no client IT or Web design resources.

Text SHOP to 73277 or visit Sears2go.com on your mobile phone. Standard text messaging rates may apply.

Wireless Service Provider Includes Expanded Footprint in Its Flat-Rate, Unlimited Service Offering
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