Modular Mobile Phones by Modu Pioneers

Yesterday, Modu announced a fundamental shift in the mobile handset industry by launching the world’s first modular mobile phone, supported by variety of ecosystem partners. Along with the handset, the company will also make available a variety of modu jackets and modu mates. The jackets are nothing but 'shells' that phones fit into, giving them a completely different look.

The first modu products will be available sometime in Q4 2008. Modu has tied up with mobile network operators (MNOs) such as Telecom Italia’s mobile division TIM, BeeLine (VimpelCom) of Russia and Cellcom in Israel, along with mainstream consumer electronics manufacturers who will develop modu mates such as MP4 players, digital photo frames, cameras and DECT phones.

One of the first such partners is car multimedia and navigation leader Blaupunkt. Lifestyle, entertainment and fashion brands – including the Universal Music Group – are also part of the modu ecosystem, partnering with modu to design stylish and customized modu jackets.

Dov Moran, modu’s CEO and founder, said, "The mobile phone industry is ready for a revamp. There are hundreds of handset models on the market: the trouble is that as a consumer you can only have one at a time and you are usually tied to a long and expensive contract. modu is challenging that with a solution that offers freedom, boundless possibilities and the opportunity to change your phone without it costing a fortune."

Data Source : Tech2

3 New phones unveiled by Motorola at GSMA 2008

The Mobile World Congress at Barcelona saw Motorola introducing three new models: MOTO Z6w, W181 and W161.

Moto Z6w

The Wi-Fi enabled MOTO Z6w is fully compatible with Windows Media Player 11 on the PC, works on high-speed USB 2.0, and features a 2.0 megapixel camera and video capture, and has up to 4GB of optional removable memory."We're proud to add our latest Wi-Fi enabled handset to our growing portfolio, delivering a compelling wireless experience to consumers anywhere they go," said Rob Shaddock, senior VP, feature and mass market handsets, Motorola Mobile Devices. "The new W series handsets offer both great mobile phone basics and a solid music experience, in a candybar form factor that you can show off with pride.”

The W161 and W181

The new candybar W161 and W181 come with the patented Motorola CrystalTalk technology, and also feature FM radio.

The MOTO Z6w is expected to hit the market in Q2 2008, while the W161 and W181 will be available in Q1 2008. Prices are yet to be announced.

Info Courtesy: Tech2

The JS1 Controller unveiled by Zeemote

Zeemote is a creator of user interface technologies, has brought to the world the Zeemote JS1, a wireless controller that enables console like game play on multimedia mobile phones.
Created by the team that gave us the first force feedback joystick for PC gaming, the Zeemote JSI controller offers freedom from the limitations of the mobile phone keypad, providing the comfortable and intuitive interaction of an analog joystick with the mobile phone.
Measuring at a small 95 x 35 x 20mm and weighing 47g, the Zeemote JS1 controller has a thumbstick and four assignable trigger buttons. It offers real analogue control, enabling users to engage with mobile games.
According to Mike Yuen, senior director (Gaming Group) of Qualcomm, the Zeemote JS1 is one of the most innovative devices to come along for mobile gaming, as it greatly helps improve game playability on mobile phones versus traditional d-pads.
The controller has a wireless remote technology that interacts with mobile phones in as natural a way as a mouse does with a conventional PC. It communicates with mobile phones via Bluetooth. According to Zeemote, the technology platform has been validated for use on a wide range of phones from major manufacturers like Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericson, and LG.
Some of the major game developers and publishers including Eidos, Finblade, Fishlabs, and SEGA of America, have already adapted popular games such as Lara Croft Tomb Raider, Helistrike 3D, and Sonic The Hedgehog to utilize this new technology.
Finblade has even created Fireworks, the first two-player game specifically designed for use with the Zeemote JS1 controller. The company has not yet decided on a price for the device. They plan to bundle the controller with games and new high-end phones; and start mass production in May.

Range of Mobiles launched by LG at GSMA 2008

LG Electronics unveiled some new products and future technologies at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. It officially launched the LG-KF700, a new handset with an optimized user interface that makes use of touch technology. Other handsets from LG featuring touch technology included the convenience oriented LG-KF600, the slim and stylish interactive touch-lighting LG-KF510, and the professional level camera phone-equipped LG Viewty.

LG-KF700
Combining three separate input methods, the LG-KF700 provides easy access to multimedia features, which includes a full web browser, digital audio and video players, and handy widgets. The high-res 3-inch full touchscreen LCD provides an optimized interface for watching video content. A shortcut dial on the rear of this 3G, HSDPA-enabled handset offers an easy and intuitive way to switch among applications. There's a sliding alphanumeric keypad for calls. Other features include a 3 megapixel auto-focus camera, support for microSD cards, Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

LG- KF600
The LG-KF600 won a 2008 iF Product Design Award. It’s equipped with a 3 megapixel camera, MP3 player, and video recorder. This slider, like the Samsung soul, has a smaller touch-sensitive display under its 2-inch TFT display. The phone supports Bluetooth, USB, and microSD cards for external memory, and is EDGE-enabled.

LG VIEWTY ( LG KU-990)

The LG Viewty includes features found on many high-end standalone cameras, including a manual focus option, image stabilizer, and ISO up to 800 for indoor or night shooting. The 5.0 megapixel camera can record video at up to 120 FPS, the highest speed ever for a handset camera, and the files can be edited and uploaded directly to YouTube. A 3.0-inch touchscreen and Mobile XD engine provide vivid display while a jog wheel on the back maximizes usability. An attached stylus allows users to digitally 'write' on photos and edit files.

LG KF510
Gradated Metallic Stardust Dark Gray and Sunset Red color schemes form the basis for the design of the KF510, reinforced by a dynamic touchpad with interactive touch-lighting and emotional animation. The LCD includes a power-saving auto luminance control and is covered by tempered glass, which gives the phone durability. The Smart Camera has image stabilization, LED flash, and red-eye reduction, plus a startup time of around one second. Rounding up the features are an MP3 player and the ability to record and play back QVGA video.

LG KS20
The updated LG-KS20 slim smartphone is designed to enrich the mobile Internet experience. It features full Internet browsing capabilities, and downloads everything from music and video clips to push email at a speed of 3.6 Mbps through HSDPA. It also allows for video-conferencing. The intuitive touch input technology and large LCD screen maximizes Internet usability. The handset is powered by Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 6 software.

LG-KT610
The LG-KT610 runs on a Symbian OS and looks quite like the E90 Communicator with a fully QWERTY keypad when it opens up. Other features include Bluetooth, USB, 3G HSDPA support, microSD card support for external memory, and built-in GPS receiver. It comes equipped with a 2 megapixel camera and has a 2.4 inch internal display with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels, in addition to the external 1.4-inch monochrome display.

Info Courtesy: Tech2

Mac Book Air launched in INDIA

Apple today unveiled what's claimed to be the world's thinnest notebook, the MacBook Air, in India.

Angeline Tan, product marketing manager of Apple, introduced the notebook here, which measures 4 mm at its thinnest point.

The MacBook Air was first launched at the MacWorld expo in San Francisco on January 15.

In India, it will ship in two weeks through Apple authorized resellers and dealers for a suggested retail price of Rs 96,100 ($2,421).

The features of the MacBook Air include a 13.3-inch liquid crystal display, a full-size backlit keyboard and a built-in video camera.

MacBook Air delivers up to five hours of battery life and includes Wi-Fi networking.

With an Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 1.6 or 1.8 GHz of processing power, Apple's standard model contains a 1.8-inch hard drive offering 80GB of storage.

Source: Tech 2