Nokia today launched a service which would cut the time a GPS-enabled cell phone takes to pinpoint its whereabouts, opening new opportunities for location-based online services. The service will cut the startup time to one minute, from up to three minutes currently. The slowness has so far hampered takeup of cell phone navigation. Nokia intends to equip all of its future devices that have built-in GPS with this service. The first devices to use this service are the Nokia 6110 Navigator, which ha... [Read]

Research In Motion (RIM) today announced the BlackBerry 8820, the first BlackBerry to combine EDGE/GPRS/GSM cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity for data access and voice support through UMA (unlicensed mobile access). Featuring RIM's thinnest smartphone design with a full QWERTY keyboard, large and bright display (320 x 240 px), trackball navigation system, the BlackBerry 8820 also includes built-in GPS (Global Positioning System), RIM's latest media player enhancements, and a microSD / microSDHC (m... [Read]

Sprint today announced the Sanyo Katana DLX, a device that retains the thin profile introduced on the original Katana phone updated with a new luxurious finish. Also available in Platinum Ice, Champagne and Pink Satin, the Katana DLX includes power save mode, phone as modem, Bluetooth wireless technology, wireless backup for easily restoring contact information if the phone is ever lost, stolen or damaged and a large QVGA main display. It is GPS-enabled supporting Sprint Navigation, powered by T... [Read]

Samsung today introduced the SGH-L760, a new 3G mobile phone that offers essential features to aid users in maintaining their blogs. The L760 allows users to update content and photos to their blogs anywhere with just one-click, by uploading contents as in the form of title + description + tag. The L760 is a sexy UMTS 3G slider equipped with the most of popular mobile features including a 2.0-Megapixel Camera, Really Simple Syndication (RSS) Reader, FM Radio with Radio Data System (RDS), the lat... [Read]

Following the success of the first LG Shine handset within the Black Label Series, LG Electronics today unveiled the LG Shine 'Titanium Black.' Offering the same award-winning features as the original LG Shine, the full metal bodied jacket has received a makeover, turning it a dark and sophisticated metallic grey. The LG Shine 'Titanium Black' offers users a stylish phone with a high technical specification. Taking influence from futuristic trends, the Titanium Black has a mature and refined finish. Edgier than black and more chic than silver, the Shine Titanium Black combines the best of both looks. The sleek design defies its high-tech functionality which includes a 2.0-megapixel camera by Schneider Kreuznach. Access to LG Shine's menu system is by an easy-to-use multi-function scroll wheel and on board software includes a comprehensive... [Read]

Verizon Wireless today announced the availability of Music Manager software, a PC-based music player accompanying Verizon's VCAST Music service. Simplifying how customers manage, play and add digital music libraries, customers can now play music directly from an audio CD on their PCs. Music Manager is now available as a free download from Verizon Wireless at www.verizonwireless.com/musicmanager . Users will see four intuitive tabs to help them manage their music: "VCAST Buy Music" is a direct li... [Read]

PayPal today announced the launch of Mobile Checkout, a service allowing consumers in the U.S., U.K. and Canada to buy items securely using the mobile web. PayPal Mobile Checkout offers a way to accept payments for merchants with online storefronts. With PayPal Mobile Checkout, merchants can sell items such as DVDs, CDs, clothing, tickets, electronics, video games, books, athletic equipment, and even specialty items from catalogs such as SkyMall, directly through the Mobile web. PayPal Mobile Ch... [Read]

Skype is now available on the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet, bringing Skype conversations where a wireless internet connection (WiFi) is available. Skype for the Nokia N800 will be available for download for existing users. There will also be Skype download links on the latest release of Nokia N800 devices which will be available at retail and on the Skype online store. From coffee shops and public parks to offices to hotels or even on the beach - users will now be able to make Skype calls anywhere... [Read]

The LG Chocolate is back and sweeter than ever, sporting Black Cherry and Blue Mint colors. Slimmer and sleeker, the new Chocolate has a vibrating touch keypad and a new Navigation Wheel with Trace Motion light. The wheel allows for easy navigation through phone functions, as well as quick and simple functionality while browsing music and videos. Ideal for VCAST Music customers who want a mobile music device, the Chocolate offers advanced multimedia features such as a microSD memory slot that su... [Read]

LG Electronics said Tuesday it has signed an agrement with YouTube, the world's biggest video-sharing website, to develop a mobile phone which can operate the service. The proposed model will enable users to upload, view and share video clips or user-created content online freely without using computers. For upcoming YouTube-enabled handsets, LG will apply a new user interface for easily accessing and uploading video content. LG's YouTube-enabled handsets will be available worldwide starting at ... [Read]

Samsung today announced the availability of SGH-T409, one of the first mobile phones to support T-Mobile HotSpot @Home. Exclusive to T-Mobile, the T409 is an easy-to-use flip phone with a host of features, including Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth wireless technology, a built-in 1.3-megapixel camera with digital zoom and picture and ringer caller ID. Available in a sky blue color, the t409 seamlessly makes and receives calls over a home Wi-Fi network with T-Mobile HotSpot @Home. The T409, a key co... [Read]

T-Mobile today announced the national launch of T-Mobile HotSpot @Home, a new wireless service designed to provide people with one phone for all their home and mobile calling needs. T-Mobile HotSpot @Home combines Wi-Fi (wireless Internet) and its nationwide voice and data network. While at home, customers can enjoy mobile coverage and unlimited domestic calling over Wi-Fi; while mobile, customers also can get the same benefits at all the nearly 8,500 T-Mobile HotSpot locations across the countr... [Read]

Nokia today unveiled the Nokia 6086 phone as part of the new T-Mobile HotSpot @Home service, which launched nationwide today. With the ability to connect to a home Wi-Fi connection or thousands of T-Mobile HotSpots across the country, the Nokia 6086 phone paired with T-Mobile HotSpot @Home delivers wireless coverage in an easy-to-use package. While at home, customers can enjoy mobile coverage and unlimited nationwide calling over a home Wi-Fi network. They also receive the same benefits at all o... [Read]

AT&T and Apple today announced three service plans for iPhone which start at just $59.99 per month. All three plans include unlimited data, Visual Voicemail, 200 SMS text messages, roll-over minutes, unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling, and a specific number of voice minutes. With everything else already included, iPhone customers can easily choose the plan that's right for them based on the amount of voice minutes they plan to use each month. In addition, iPhone customers can choose from any... [Read]

Sprint today announced the upcoming availability of the LG Muziq, a new music phone that offers a quickly and easily experience music on the go. The Muziq comes with over-the-air song downloads, a 4 GB microSD memory card slot and a built-in FM transmitter allowing customers to listen to their tunes wirelessly through any FM radio within 10 feet. A successor to last year's Fusic, the Muziq provides quick and easy access to Sprint-exclusive content, including: - Sprint Music Store, powered by Gro... [Read]

Nokia today announced the availability of Nokia Eseries business devices in the U.S., including the Nokia E61i and Nokia E65. For individual business users, Nokia Eseries devices are available through a number of online retailers. Devices are supplied to the retail channels through distribution agreements with Brightpoint and Ingram Micro. Nokia Eseries business devices offer advanced voice features with superior voice quality, business email with attachment handling, and manageability with busi... [Read]

Motorola today announced Good Mobile Messaging 5, incorporating innovative email and PIM capabilities that help enable mobile users to easily find what they need when they need it and get work done. New features include: - Group and find by conversation and sender: sorts and groups emails by conversation thread and/or sender, helping users to easily pinpoint important messages and save time by filing and/or deleting an entire thread or group - Complete calendaring: helps invite participants to a... [Read]

Sling Media today announced that SlingPlayer Mobile is now compatible with Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6 operating system. SlingPlayer Mobile gives Slingbox owners the ability to watch and control their home TV from a network-enabled Windows Mobile powered device. SlingPlayer Mobile gives consumers a home TV experience, including local channels, local sports teams, video on demand, pay per view, etc. Any program that can be watched at home, can now watch via a PC, Mac, or Windows Mobile-based dev... [Read]

Nuance Communications has agreed to buy the developer of the T9 predictive text input software for mobile phones from current owner Time Warner's AOL. Tegic developed the T9 interface in 1995 to simplify the typing of text messages on mobile phones. Rather than press 9-9-6-6-6-8-8 to spell the word "you," T9 users can type 9-6-8 and let the software predict which word they are trying to spell. Nuance plans to integrate Tegic's T9 predictive text with its Voice Control software, obtained through ... [Read]

In tune with its young consumers, the Levi's brand is adding a fashionable, steel mobile phone to its range of lifestyle accessories. The Levi's phone embraces mobile technology and enables young people to connect, enjoy music, exchange images and videos whilst on the go. The functional essence of the Levi's brand's design philosophy is captured by the phone's compact design and sturdy riveted steel casing. A unique detachable chain provides a clever design solution that allows users to fasten t... [Read]