SAN DIEGO — Dec 17, `07 — Qualcomm today announced that it has acquired San Diego-based SoftMax Inc., a market leader in noise reduction for mobile devices.
SoftMax brings leading-edge, multi-microphone noise suppression and echo cancellation expertise to Qualcomm, broadening the audio and voice capabilities of the Company’s product portfolio for integration into devices such as mobile handsets, Bluetooth headsets, VoIP phones and notebook PCs.
SoftMax’s leading-edge voice algorithms for signal separation, echo cancellation and signal processing have enabled some of the latest wireless devices on the market to separate a speaker’s voice from various background noises. The result is a dramatic improvement in voice quality, providing significant differentiation for the end product. More at Qualcomm.
Espoo, Finland — Dec 03, ‘07 — Your multimedia computer can do so many great things, but so can you. Here’s your chance to update your Nokia N95 with the latest improvements - making your connected life just that bit smoother.
Available directly from the Nokia Software Updater (NSU), the latest software for the Nokia N95 will elevate performance levels even further, thanks to added features.
The new improvements from this software version touch those experiences that make your life more enjoyable: music, maps and games - and supported in even more languages than ever before.
Now you can rock on even longer to your favorite tunes, with up to 30 percent longer playback time from your multimedia computer’s music player - that’s an extra three hours, up from nine to up to 12 hours.
With the Nokia Music Store now live in the United Kingdom, users can enjoy the convenience of instant over-the-air downloads.
This latest software release brings added speed to your Nokia Maps with faster positioning times, a faster Map Loader, and a free three-day navigation trial. With Nokia Maps, there are maps available for more than 150 countries, with navigation supported for over 30 countries.
Discover a whole new mobile gaming experience with the N-Gage preview application for enjoying game demos with your Nokia N95. More at Nokia.com/softwareupdate
San Diego, California, November 26, 2007 –AT&T and LG today announced the availability of the new Shine by LG, a stylish new multimedia device.
The Shine by LG arrived in stores Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving — “Black Friday.” The Shine by LG is a sliding form-factor device, offered exclusively through AT&T, that features a silver exterior and comes with video, music and camera features and a 2.2-inch mirror LCD screen.
The device is pre-loaded with the best of AT&T’s features, including AT&T Video Share, Mobile Banking, AT&T Mobile Music and more. The Shine by LG is designed to satisfy the needs of mobile phone users who want style and glamour in their state-of-the-art mobile device and wireless service.
“Metal is back and taking on a whole new look with this season’s must-have mobile phone, the Shine by LG,” said Ehtisham Rabbani, vice president of Product Strategy and Marketing at LG Mobile Phones. “Consumers will be captivated by the Shine’s brushed-metal body and mirror LCD, and they will be excited to find that the phone is more than just a pretty face.”
Additional features on the Shine by LG include a 2.0-megapixel camera with video record and Bluetooth 2.0 capability for music and voice. The body of the Shine by LG is an elegant metal body surrounding the mirror LCD screen.
Specs
- Weight: 4.23 ounces
- Dimensions: 3.93 x 1.99 x .59 inches
- Talk Time: Up to 3 hours
- Standby Time: Up to 10 days
- Internal Memory: 70 MB
- Music Formats: MP3, WMA, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+
- microSD(TM) memory port with 4 GB support
- Bluetooth 1.2 connectivity
- 240 x 320 pixel, 262K color screen
- Network Technology: GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA
- Quad-band world phone - 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
- Dual-band domestic UMTS/ HSDPA 850/1900 MHz
Pricing and Availability
The Shine by LG is available through select AT&T retail locations or at wireless.att.com for $149.99 after a two-year contract-activation agreement and a $50 mail-in rebate. LG Shine.
Taipei, Taiwan — nov 22, ‘07 — The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG) plans to work with the Wi-Fi Alliance to develop UWB (ultra wideband) over Wi-Fi technology, according to Derek Soh, technical marketing manager for Asia Pacific at Bluetooth SIG, DigiTimes reported.
The DigiTimes further writes, “While stating that details of the cooperation with the Wi-Fi Alliance are still under discussion, Soh said that Bluetooth SIG aims to develop next-generation Bluetooth technology that will be incorporated with NFC (near field communications), UWB and Wi-Fi technologies.
In addition, the development of Bluetooth technology is now inclining toward ultra-low power and UWB technologies, said Soh, noting that the developments will help expand the applications of the Bluetooth wireless technology into the fields of medical and health care, industrial control and automotive control.
New Bluetooth technology with ultra-low power specifications is expected to be revealed in the first half of 2008 with the first devices to be available in the second half. Bluetooth with UWB specifications is expected to come out by the end of 2008 with related devices to be available in mid-2009, Soh indicated.” Digitimes.
Callpod is now accepting pre-order for its soon to be shipped, new Dragon Bluetooth headset, which has 100-Meter / 328+ ft range. Additionally you can also connect the headset with your PC for Skype calls simultaneously, allowing you to switch between your PC and mobile phone with a press of a button.
The headset also features Dual-microphone background noise cancellation and Multi-device pairing with auto-switching. You can pre-order one for $129.95 at Callpod.
SAN DIEGO — November 14, 2007 — Qualcomm today announced that it is delivering the first groundbreaking chipset products from the Snapdragon platform to numerous device manufacturers. The QSD8250 and QSD8650 are now shipping to customers worldwide, offering an unprecedented combination of mobile data processing, multimedia performance, 3G wireless connectivity and the lowest levels of power consumption for all-day battery life.
The Company will be demonstrating the Snapdragon platform running both Windows Mobile and Linux to deliver productivity applications, entertainment applications and advanced user experiences at Qualcomm’s New York Analyst Meeting.
The QSD8250 supports HSPA data rates of up to 7.2 Mbps on the downlink and 5.76 on the uplink, with full backward compatibility. The dual-mode QSD8650 supports HSPA, as well as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev. B, with full backward compatibility. The two solutions feature a custom gigahertz microprocessor core paired with Qualcomm’s sixth-generation DSP core running at 600 MHz for unsurpassed mobile performance delivering an instant-on and always-connected user experience.
Snapdragon’s support for HD video decode, 12 megapixel camera, GPS, broadcast TV (using MediaFLO, DVBH-H and/or ISDB-T), Wi-Fi and Bluetooth deliver even greater opportunities for device manufacturers to design compelling mobile products that make the promise of constant, seamless connectivity in an extremely thin and small form-factor a reality. More at Qualcomm.
LONDON — November 12 2007 — HTC today launched the HTC Touch Cruise, the third member of the HTC Touch product family and the first to feature in-built GPS for personal navigation.
Building on the popularity of the HTC Touch and the HTC Touch Dual, the HTC Touch Cruise also includes 3G-HSDPA wireless connectivity.
Users on the move will easily be able to interact with the HTC Touch Cruise’s navigation functionality and can take advantage of HTC’s TouchFLO technology, which enhances finger touch scrolling and browsing of Web pages, documents, messages and contact lists, controlled by simply sweeping a finger across the screen.
The new Touch Cruise boasts super fast HSDPA/3.5G connectivity plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0, making it a highly connected device for consumers on the move. Its 2.8″ screen is great for enjoying mobile multimedia and because it runs on Windows Mobile 6, the built-in Windows Media Player is ideal for music and movies.
The HTC Touch Cruise utilizes mapping and navigation solutions from TomTom. Other key features include a three megapixel auto focus camera, FM radio and Micro SD memory card slot for adding to the 128MB RAM. The device will be available form both retailers and SIM free from HTC from this month.
Key Specs
- Windows Mobile 6.0
- GSM/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA up to 3.6Mbps
- 2.8″ QVGA Touch Screen
- Qualcomm 7200 chipset
- Built-in GPS receiver
- TomTom mapping
- 400MHz CPU
- TouchFLO UI
- 256MB ROM /128MB RAM
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, FM Radio
- Micro SD Slot
More at HTC.
LIBERTYVILLE, Ill., – 6 Nov. 2007 – In a launch heard around the world, Motorola today unveiled the MOTOPURE H12 Universal Bluetooth Headset, a premiere product that helps users to better hear and be heard in dynamic noise environments. Taking the MOTOPURE H12 to the streets and other noisy locations where today’s on-the-go consumers live, work and play, Motorola introduced its first headset with Motorola’s audio-enhancing technology, CrystalTalk for headsets.
The Motopure H12 weighs 12 grams ( 41×18x12 mm ) and have a talk time of up to 5.5 Hrs, standby of up to 200 Hrs. It’ll be available in Q4 of ‘07. More at Motorola.
London, UK and Raleigh, NC — Nov 06, ‘07 — Sony Ericsson today announced the launch of the K660, an HSDPA (‘mobile broadband’) enabled phone, W380 Walkman phone, MD300 USB Mobile Broadband Modem and HBH-PV703 Bluetooth Headset. All four products will be available in Q1 of 2008.
K660:
- HSDPA/UMTS: 2100 MHz
- GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
- 2″ 240×320 QVGA Display
- 2 MP camera
- Bluetooth Stereo (A2DP)
- Access NetFront Browser, RSS Feeds
- FM Radio
- GSM: Talk time: Up to 9 hrs, Standby Up to 330 hrs
- UMTS Talk time: Up to 4.5 hrs, Standby Up to 330 hrs
- 104×47x14.7 mm, 3.4 oz
W380a:
- GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/1800/1900
- 1.9″ 176×220 TFT LCT
- Bluetooth stereo (A2DP)
- Audio Formats: MP3/AAC/AAC+
- FM Radio
- 1.3 MP Camera
- RSS Feeds, WAP 2.0 XHTML
- 512MB M2 Memory Stick
- Talk time: up to 7 Hrs, Syandby 300 Hrs
- 92×49x16 mm, 100 g
MD300:
- HSDPA/UMTS: Triple band 850/1900/ 2100 MHz
- HSDPA up to 3.6 Mbps
- EDGE/GPRS: Quad band 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
- USB 2.0 Mobile Broadband Modem
- Compact size: 70×32.5×15 mm
- Integrated antenna design
- Supported OS: MS Windows 2000, XP, Vista, MAC-OS X
HBH-PV703:
- Bluetooth 2.0
- 61×18 mm, 14 g
- Talk time: Up to 10 Hrs, Standby: Up to 350 Hrs
More at SonyEricsson here, here and here!
New ROM-Based Solution Features Technology that Distinguishes Voice from Background Noise to Boost Audio Conversation Clarity.
IRVINE, Calif., Nov 05, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — Broadcom today introduced the industry’s first Bluetooth audio solution to offer noise and echo suppression without expensive flash memory and digital signal processing (DSP) components, resulting in significantly improved audio quality in mass market Bluetooth headsets. Expanding the Broadcom Bluetooth audio platform, the new single-chip ROM-based device features advanced audio enhancement technology in a small, low cost package that will help to drive cost effective, stylish headset designs based on Bluetooth technology.
Announced today is the Broadcom BCM2044S headset solution that leverages a ROM-based architecture to implement its unique SmartAudio noise and echo reduction algorithms, enhancing audio quality without adding additional costly components. This technology potentially reduces the bill of materials (BOM) cost by 40 percent, enabling OEMs to offer high-end audio capabilities at the same cost as basic headsets. In addition, the BCM2044S is footprint-compatible with the predecessor Broadcom BCM2044, enabling OEM customers to cost effectively offer multi-tiered product lines based on a common hardware platform.
New Reference Design Further Reduces Cost
Broadcom also announced today its BCM92044 reference design that provides headset OEMs with a greatly reduced 2-layer printed circuit board (PCB), versus alternative solutions that require PCBs with four or six layers. Broadcom also conducts extensive interoperability testing with other Bluetooth devices, and to date, the BCM92044 reference design has been validated with over 200 Bluetooth devices and that list continues to grow. More at Broadcom.
San Antonio, TX, Schaumberg, IL, November 01, ‘07 — AT&T and Motorola announced today that the MOTO Q9h global will be available exclusively to AT&T customers in the U.S. beginning tomorrow.
The MOTO Q global is a high-performance smart device with a new, sleek form factor. The MOTO Q global offers AT&T customers a full ergonomic, integrated QWERTY keyboard; outstanding voice quality; downloads at up to 3.6 Mbps via AT&T’s UMTS/HSDPA-based BroadbandConnect network;2 Windows Mobile 6; built-in GPS capabilities; Documents to Go for document editing; Opera browser; seven dedicated shortcut keys; a 2.0-megapixel camera with flash; and support for both a host of enterprise- and consumer-oriented applications and services.
In addition, business users will be able to access other services, such as:
-TeleNav GPS Navigator. This provides GPS-enabled turn-by-turn voice and on-screen driving direction, colorful 3-D moving maps and traffic delay alerts/rerouting for use in vehicles or while walking.
-TeleNav Track. This is a fully hosted, on-demand and comprehensive GPS-based workforce-management solution.
Pricing and AvailabilityFor the holidays, the MOTO Q global is expected to be available for a special introductory price of $199.99 at AT&T retail stores nationwide, online at www.wireless.att.com, at select national retailers and through AT&T’s B2B sales organizations. More at AT&T.
Las Vegas, NV–Oct 31, ‘07– Stay in touch with your friends and colleagues without the hassle, thanks to Nokia’s newest headset, the Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-101. Revealed today at the SEMA Show, this headset is the ideal companion for people on the move who want a simple, discreet and affordable solution for their handsfree communications.
Compatible with a wide range of devices, the headset has the durability and comfort to take you through a hectic day. Its efficient power management means you can talk up to eight hours, or put the headset aside on standy mode for up to 180 hours. Compact in size, the headset comes with an easily adjustable earloop to make any long conversation comfortable.
The Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-101 is expected to hit stores globally for the Christmas season and will cost an estimated $40 USD/30 EUR without taxes.
The headset has basic call handling functions and supports Bluetooth functions up to version 2.0 with EDR and Handsfree v.1.5 and Headset v.1.1. More at Nokia.
BASINGSTOKE, United Kingdom, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ –Motorola today revolutionised hands-free driving with the launch of the MOTOROKR T505 Bluetooth(R) In-Car Speakerphone and Digital FM Transmitter, its first road-ready, music-oriented ROKR accessory and the latest addition to its portfolio of in-car solutions.
The MOTOROKR T505 enables consumers to connect a compatible Bluetooth enabled phone(1) to the car sound system and enjoy hands-free calling and their own personal music collection in outstanding stereo sound.
The T505 is extremely portable and requires no wires or installation. Drivers simply clip the device to a car’s visor and pair the T505 using Motorola’s EasyPair(TM) technology to a compatible Bluetooth device. When the T505 is connected to a stereo Bluetooth phone, such as a MOTORAZR(2) or MOTOROKR Z6, or an MP3 player, calls and music are streamed wirelessly with the perfectly-tuned clarity and wide-ranging volume of a car stereo. Drivers with standard Bluetooth phones can use the T505 to make and take their calls over the car stereo. And when the ride’s over, the T505 can be easily unhooked and taken to another car for the next trip.
- Talk Time: Up to 18 hrs
- Standby Time: Up to 14 days
- Battery: 1150mAh
- Weight: 88gr
- Dimensions: 76mmx78mmx22.8mm
- Speaker: 2 Watt
- Digital FM Transmitter(no RDS)
- Bluetooth Version 2.0(w/out EDR) More at Motorola.
Mio Technology, makers of Car & PDA Navigation and GPS PDA Phone, has added a large 7-inch touch screen GPS navigation system C728 to its lineup.
C728 Specs & Features:
- OS: Win CE .Net 5.0
- CPU: Samsung 2443-400Mhz
- GPS Chipset: 20-channel SiRFstar III
- Memory: ROM 2GB, RAM 64 MB, SD Card Slot
- 7″ 800 x 480 (QVGA) TFT with Touchscreen
- Bluetooth 2.0, Mini & Standard USB 2.0
- Photo Viewing, Audio & Video Playing Support
More at Mio Technology
“Espoo, Finland -Nokia today announced the shipping start of the Nokia N95 8GB multimedia computer. To celebrate its launch, Nokia has teamed up with Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) to offer a Nokia N95 8GB which comes pre-loaded with the full-length feature film in Europe and selected countries in Middle East and Africa region.” said Nokia press release.
Nokia further said, “The device’s eight gigabytes internal memory capacity means more music, more movies. DVD-like quality video capture and control allows film fanatics to create their own movies and share their creations and favorite movies with others by using the easy ‘transfer to PC functions’, allowing uploads to their social networking profiles and other online sites. Enhanced WiFi connectivity ensures you are connected whilst on-the-move and the assisted GPS (A-GPS) keeps you on the right path for worldwide adventure. With all these amazing features, the Nokia N95 8GB is set to take mobile entertainment to the next level.”
Quick Specs:
-2.8″ QVGA (240 x 320 pixels) TFT display
-S60 software on Symbian 9.2 OS
-5 megapixel Camera with Carl Zeiss Lens, MPEG-4 VGA video capture of up to 30 fps
-TV Out with Nokia cable or Wireless LAN/UPnP
-Supported Audio Formats: MP3/AAC/M4A/WMA
-Stereo FM radio
-Network Assisted GPS
-Nokia Web Browser, Java MIDP 2.0, CLDC 1.1 (J2ME)
-HSDPA, Wi-fi 802.11 b/g and UPnP, Stereo Bluetooth 2.0
More at Nokia here and here
With Christmas sales fast approaching, Sony Ericsson today announces that its latest Walkman and Cyber-shot phones, the W910 and the K850, will be available in stores across selected markets from this month.
The W910 and the K850 continue to deliver the best mobile music and camera phone experiences. Both new phones boast Turbo-3G speeds (HSDPA) for fast download of music and other content and come packed with unique features.
The W910 is designed for entertainment; whether music(Offers Stereo Bluetooth), 3D games, video, or high-speed Web access and comes with 1GB Memory Stick Micro out of the box.
The K850 Cyber-shot phone is equipped with a 5 megapixel camera with auto focus, Xenon flash and Video Light that together help produce true digital camera results.
The Sony Ericsson W910 will be available in either Hearty Red or Noble Black. The K850 has a colour choice of either Velvet Blue or Luminous Green. Both will be available in-store across selected markets from October 2007
More at Sony Ericsson…
Set music free with a Bluetooth speaker that looks as good as it sounds. The new Portable Bluetooth Speaker MBS-100, announced today by Sony Ericsson, is the perfect accessory for your Walkman phone or most other Bluetooth enabled music phones. For anyone wanting to share their music, whether at home or in the office, but avoid a series of wires and complicated set-up, the Portable Bluetooth Speaker MBS-100 looks and sounds the part.
Your favourite music deserves crystal clear powerful sound, and the MBS-100 provides just that using the latest A2DP streaming technology to deliver the very best in sound quality. MBS-100 will be available from Q4 2007 in selected markets.
More at Sony Ericsson…
Samsung has fired up its YP series MP3 players’ salvo against Apple’s iPod.
Quick Spec:
P2: 8GB, 3″ 16:9-480×272 WQVGA, MP3 + WMA, MPEG4 + WMV, JPG, FM Radio, Bluetooth 2.0, available for $249.99 at Amazon
T10: 8GB, 2″ 240×320 QVGA, MP3 + WMA, MPEG4 + WMV, JPG, FM Radio, Voice Recording, Bluetooth 2.0 will be priced $199
S5: 4GB, 1.8″ 176×220 QCIF+, MP3 + WMA + AAC, MPEG4, JPG, FM Radio, Voice Recording, Bluetooth 1.2 available for $179.99 at CircuitCity
More at Samsung…
AT&T has announced that the AT&T Tilt, the most feature-packed smart device / PDA available in the United States, will debut exclusively through AT&T beginning Friday, Oct. 5. The AT&T Tilt is the first AT&T-enabled Windows Mobile 6 smart device and features an innovative slide-out QWERTY keypad design.
Quick specs:
- Windows Mobile 6 Professional
- 2.8-inch color screen
- 3-megapixel camera
- 3G data speeds from AT&T’s HSDPA
- Stereo Bluetooth 2.0
- MicroSD slot
- An integrated GPS receiver
- BlackBerry Connect support
- Wi-Fi
More at AT&T News Room…
