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CAMBRIDGE, Mass –BUSINESS WIRE– Dec 19, `07 — Bitstream today announced today that the US Patent and Trademark Office has awarded the company a third patent for its ThunderHawk technology.

This patent covers the technology that controls how web pages are retrieved and displayed on mobile devices, and is the foundation of the company’s ThunderHawk product. ThunderHawk is the first browser to provide a consistent, full HTML browsing experience between mobile and desktop environments.

The issued patent covers technology that displays digital content, such as a Web site, by accessing it, laying it out at a virtual pixel resolution, and then displaying a portion of that layout at a smaller display resolution. This displays the layout’s images and text at a scaled-down resolution size, with displayed text composed from font bitmaps having character shapes, sizes, and pixel alignments selected to improve readability at the scaled-down size. More at Bitstream.

Taipei, Taiwan — Dec 19, `07 — DigiTimes is reporting on Motorola’s plan to launch its next-generation Linux-based “Ming” handsets in the second quarter of 2008, with the hand input intelligence handsets to be available in both high-end and entry-level versions, citing Bill Chen, general manager of of mobile device business at Motorola Taiwan.

DigiTimes further reports, “While Motorola’s R&D center in Beijing will continue to handle the development of the high-end version of the new Ming handsets, the US vendor will outsource the production of the new entry-level Ming handsets to the Taiwan-based Inventec Group, according to market sources, who also noted that the new Ming handsets will continue to support the 2.5G standard.

Motorola on December 17 launched its high-end 3.5G RAZR V9 in Taiwan, and the company plans to introduce in Taiwan a Symbian-based ROKR Z8, Windows Mobile-based Q9 and three entry-level models, including the W360 and W213, before the end of this year, Chen said.” More at DigiTimes.

BURLINGTON, MA, Dec 17, `07 – Cognos today announced that it has extended its wireless business intelligence solution, Cognos 8 Go! Mobile, to support Windows Mobile 6 smartphones.

Cognos 8 Go! Mobile is the industry’s first business intelligence solution designed to make it convenient to view, consume and interact with highly relevant performance information on mobile devices.

Cognos 8 Go! Mobile delivers enterprise data through an intuitive interface optimized for each different type of mobile platform. It now brings timely decision-support information directly to Windows Mobile 6 devices. All decision makers who need to access BI content across the enterprise, either through a mobile device or on the Web, are able to use the same consistent, trusted source of operational information. More at Cognos.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla –BUSINESS WIRE– Dec 13, ‘07 — MySpace and Sprint announced today that Sprint will be the first US wireless carrier to link to the free MySpace Mobile Web site once it officially launches in early 2008, at no additional charge to Sprint data subscribers.

This means that Sprint customers with enabled phones will be able to click to access MySpace from the Sprint portal. The new version of MySpace Mobile will feature rich graphical design, a revamped email interface and other new features. The site is currently in beta at http://mobile.myspace.com.

In addition to the new MySpace Mobile, Sprint customers will also be able to directly link to other leading mobile Web sites from Fox Interactive Media (FIM), including IGN, FOXSports.com on MSN, RottenTomatoes, AskMen, its network of MyFOX local affiliates and the newest addition Photobucket. The agreement was announced this morning by FIM President Peter Levinsohn at Sprint’s annual Application Developer Conference in Hollywood, FL.

Oslo, Norway and Brussels, Belgium — Dec 13, ‘07 — Opera Software ASA filed a complaint with the European Commission yesterday against Microsoft.

The complaint alleges how Microsoft is abusing its dominant position by tying its browser, Internet Explorer, to the Windows operating system and by hindering interoperability by not following accepted Web standards.

Opera has requested the Commission to take the necessary actions to compel Microsoft to give consumers a real choice and to support open Web standards in Internet Explorer.

Opera requests the Commission to implement two remedies to Microsoft’s abusive actions. First, it requests the Commission to obligate Microsoft to unbundle Internet Explorer from Windows and/or carry alternative browsers pre-installed on the desktop.

Second, it asks the European Commission to require Microsoft to follow fundamental and open Web standards accepted by the Web-authoring communities. The complaint calls on Microsoft to adhere to its own public pronouncements to support these standards, instead of stifling them with its notorious “Embrace, Extend and Extinguish” strategy. More at Opera.

Dec 07, ‘07 — The brand new Motorola Q9 with Wi-Fi, TheBoyGeniusReport got, has Windows Mobile 6.1 on it! And following up on the Windows Mobile 6.1 details and pictures, Boy Genius has a video walk-through of the latest Microsoft Mobile OS. BoyGenius.

Free Update Adds Improved Calendar Functionality, Enhanced Email Support and HSDPA Capabilities for AT&T Customers.

SUNNYVALE, Calif –BUSINESS WIRE– Dec 04, ‘07 — Palm today announced an update to Windows Mobile 6 for Palm Treo 750 smartphone customers in the United States. Windows Mobile 6 brings increased functionality, enhanced user interface and strengthened security and performance to the Treo 750 smartphone, which is offered exclusively in the United States by AT&T. The update is available today as a free download for existing Treo 750 smartphone customers.

The Treo 750 currently is available in the United States on AT&T’s 3G BroadbandConnect network, which is available in more than 200 major metropolitan areas and provides average download speeds between 600Kbps (kilobits per second) and 1,400Kbps. For those customers, the update will facilitate High-speed Download Packet Access (HSDPA) capability, allowing faster data-download speeds on 3G/UMTS/HSDPA networks and access to AT&T Multimedia services: AT&T Music, CV (Video), and AT&T Mall.

Windows Mobile 6 combined with Exchange Server 2007 support is available out of the box and delivers a wide range of enhanced features, including the following:

* Microsoft Direct Push Technology connection to email, calendar, contacts and tasks;
* Email enhancements such as HTML-formatted email messages;
* Ability to set an out-of-office message from the Treo smartphone;
* Mini-SD storage card encryption, password and PIN improvements, and remote data wipe;
* Ability to search for email messages on the Exchange server;
* Meeting request and scheduling conflict improvements; and
* Improved Calendar with Day-at-a-Glance bar.

Palm’s Windows Mobile 6 update for the Treo 750 is available as a free download at Palm.com/750UpdateATT.

Egham, UK — Worldwide sales of mobile phones to end users in the third quarter of 2007 reached 289 million units, a 15 per cent increase from the same period last year, according to Gartner, Inc. The top five vendors increased their market shares and accounted for 81.6 per cent of the global market share.

“Even though relatively few models were introduced this quarter, overall sales exceeded expectations. Mobile phone sales were mainly driven by strong performances in Asia/Pacific and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa,” said Carolina Milanesi, research director for mobile devices research at Gartner, based in Egham, UK. “The third quarter also saw Samsung gain the No. 2 position taking advantage of Motorola’s continued weak performance.”

Nokia’s mobile phone sales to end users totaled 110.2 million units reaching a market share of 38.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2007. This quarter, Nokia not only exhibited the highest year-on-year market share increase, but also raised operating margins thanks to effective cost management and global distribution strategy.

Samsung’s sales to end users reached 41.8 million units and saw the vendor gain the No. 2 position as it better managed its channel inventory. Sales of its Ultra Edition II series continued to gain momentum in key markets such as Western Europe, where Samsung reached 21 per cent market share, its strongest performance in the region.

Motorola’s sales into the channel remained weak and, with limited surplus stock, sales to end users were not enough to maintain its No. 2 position. Motorola’s market share dropped 7.6 percentage points from the third quarter of 2006, relegating the vendor to the No. 3 position.

Sony Ericsson’s positive performance continued in the third quarter of 2007 as sales reached 25.4 million units. As Sony Ericsson built up sales volume and presence in some regions, such as Latin America, it also saw a slight increase in inventory among distributors.

LG sold 20.5 million units in the third quarter of 2007 and reached a market share of 7.1 per cent. LG faced stronger competition in markets such as India, where the code division multiple access (CDMA) market has become challenging as operators closed deals with new entrants such as ZTE. More at Gartner.

Related:

Makers of Mechanical -Not So Electronic- Mobile Phones, Motorola Replaces CEO

White Plains, NY — Dec 03, ‘07 — Nokia today applauded Verizon Wireless’ announced plans to develop and deploy a fourth generation (4G) mobile broadband network. The Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology Verizon Wireless chose is an open and global specification for next generation networks that will bring scale and efficiencies for manufacturers, choice in network equipment and device for operators, and ultimately better value and richer experiences for consumers.

Broadband wireless technologies have the power to change the way people work, live, play and communicate. As the world leader in converged devices, Nokia is dedicated to offering a wide choice of mobile devices to consumers and remains committed to openness and innovation. Nokia is proud to expand our collaboration with Verizon Wireless to develop products that allow consumers to experience the benefits of mobility and the Internet.

“Nokia has long been committed to working closely with operators in the US and around the world, and is very pleased to support Verizon Wireless in their choice of LTE as their global 4G evolution path,” said Mark Louison, President, Nokia Inc., the North American arm of Nokia.

“It is very exciting to see Verizon Wireless, one of the world’s leading wireless providers, announce their open development initiative for devices and their decision to evolve their network to the open, global specification of LTE.”

Within the next 10 years, Nokia sees that demand for an enriched mobile experience and mobile computing will continue to grow at exponential rates. LTE will help to enable faster, richer multimedia services such as multi-player gaming with rich 3D graphics and simultaneous Instant Messaging or voice calls and a host of other applications providing a much more compelling mobile experience for consumers everywhere. Nokia.

Espoo, Finland — Dec 03, ‘07 — Discover and listen to radio shows broadcasted over the internet with the Nokia Internet Radio service now available. The application can be downloaded for free from Nokia.com/internetRadio and will also be embedded in upcoming Nokia S60 3rd edition devices.

“Most new music discovery occurs while you’re listening to the radio,” said Tommi Mustonen, head of the Nokia music business. “By offering the Nokia Internet Radio service on mobile devices, the radio experience becomes more accessible, giving people new ways to find music.”

With hundreds of internet radio stations to choose from worldwide, the station directory of Nokia Internet Radio makes music discovery effortless - browsing can be done based on station name, genre, country or language.

To find out what hits are hot around the world, hourly updates of the top ten most popular internet radio stations are also available in the station directory. Plus, there is no need to search for your top stations time and again because adding them to the list of ‘Favorites’ makes them easily accessible.

Moreover, the audio quality is enhanced by selecting appropriate streaming servers that match the speed of the current network connection.

The Nokia Internet Radio application is currently available for download to the following devices: Nokia N82, Nokia N91, Nokia N95 and Nokia N95 8GB.

The application is planned to be available later on further devices and will be embedded in selected upcoming Nokia S60 3rd edition devices. Please visit Nokia.com/internetRadio for the list of the latest compatible devices.

DUBLIN, Calif –BUSINESS WIRE– Dec 03, ‘07 — Sybase, a leading provider of enterprise infrastructure and mobile software, today announced that it plans to expand its support of mobile platforms to include devices based on the Android platform.

Sybase currently targets a wide range of devices and platforms across its mobile middleware and mobile services offerings, supporting more than 230 Windows Mobile, Symbian, Palm, RIM and iPhone handheld devices, as well as Windows laptops and tablets. With this announcement, Sybase continues to be proactive in addressing the mixed device requirements of today’s businesses.

“It is exciting to see that the emergence of platforms such as Android, combined with the backing of the companies in the Open Handset Alliance, including Google, are fueling even more rapid innovation across the entire mobility industry, and will continue to blur the line between consumer and enterprise use,” said Dr. Raj Nathan, chief marketing officer, Sybase.

“This is consistent with Sybase’s Unwired Enterprise vision. We see a future where information can be shared from any system to any user, with the same rich and consistent user experience whether in the office or on the road, on any device.”

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, Nov 29, ‘07 /PRNewswire/ — Verizon today announced plans to develop and deploy its fourth generation mobile broadband network using LTE — Long Term Evolution – the technology developed within the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards organization.

The selection of LTE provides Verizon and Vodafone — joint owners of U.S.-based Verizon Wireless - - with a unique opportunity to adopt a common access platform with true global scale and compatibility with existing technologies of both companies.

Verizon and Vodafone have a coordinated trial plan for LTE that begins in 2008. Trial suppliers include Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia- Siemens, and Nortel. These suppliers, along with others in the world community, have contributed significantly towards development of the standards in 3GPP.

Discussions with device suppliers have expanded beyond traditional suppliers such as LG, Samsung, Motorola, Nokia, and Sony Ericsson, as consumer electronics companies anticipate embedded wireless functionality in their future products.

“We fully support Verizon’s decision to select LTE as their next generation wireless broadband solution,” said Steve Pusey, Vodafone’s global chief technology officer. “LTE will build on the capabilities of Vodafone’s 3G broadband High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) network technology, which is available across the entire Vodafone 3G footprint.”

“Today’s 4G announcement, coupled with our Open Development initiative announced earlier this week present a major growth opportunity for Verizon Wireless,” said Doreen Toben, chief financial officer of Verizon. “Fourth generation’s higher data speeds wi usher in a new era of wireless applications and appliances, all of which can benefit from connecting to the nation’s premier wireless network.”

More at PRNewsWire.

     Google Maps with My Location (Beta)

See your location on the map, with or without GPS. Save time and tedious keystrokes finding where you are, what’s around you, and how to get there. Watch the video on the right to see how it works.

Press “0″ and look for the blue dot: or 

San Francisco, CA — Nov 28, ‘07 — Google is testing technology that will find the location of people using its mobile mapping service, even if the phone making the connection isn’t equipped with a GPS receiver.

The search giant said on Wednesday it is introducing a novel mapping system that uses cell phone towers to let mobile phone users locate nearby services without typing in addresses.

Google Maps for Mobile with My Location automatically informs mobile phone users where they are on a map. Users simply type the number “0″ on their phone to move the map to their approximate location.

Google is offering the service for free, direct to U.S. consumers, and is expected to eventually introduce local advertising that takes advantage of the location-aware service. The company has created the service independent of carriers.

Unlike GPS, Google’s tracking feature works while handsets are indoors. “My Location” also drains less power from a phone’s battery than a GPS receiver does.

The tracking system isn’t set up to collect a user’s phone number or any other personal information that would reveal a person’s identity, said Steve Lee, product manager for Google’s mobile maps. As a safeguard, the feature can be turned off at any time by simply clicking on a link in the help menu.

On the downside, Google’s service isn’t as precise as GPS. In most instances, Google hopes to get within one-quarter to three miles of a user’s location - close enough to provide helpful “neighborhood-level” information, Lee said.

By knowing more about a mobile phone’s location, Google conceivably could make more money displaying ads from nearby businesses hoping to lure in more customers. The Mountain View-based company currently doesn’t plan to show ads on mobile maps but may in the future, Lee said.

Already the owner of the most lucrative advertising network on the Internet, Google eventually hopes to do a better job of mining profits from the mobile Web.

To help realize that goal, Google plans to introduce a new mobile software package called Android next year in an attempt to make its online services more accessible to people while they’re away from computers at home or the office.

Get Google Maps with My Location (Beta)

REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 27, 2007 — Microsoft Corp. Senior Vice President of the Mobile Communications Business Pieter Knook issued the following statement today in support of the ‘Any Apps, Any Device’ option announced by Verizon Wireless:

“Microsoft is very excited to see Verizon Wireless make such a bold move to satisfy the demands of wireless consumers. As people’s mobile needs become more sophisticated and varied, they will require smarter and more adaptable mobile devices. We are proud to support any open access that puts more power in people’s hands to connect them to the information they want when and where they want it.”

Microsoft has spent five years focusing on building software and services for mobile phones.

The company’s Windows Mobile software is available today in more than 140 phone designs created by more than 48 device manufacturers worldwide, and Windows Mobile supports more than 18,000 applications.

Microsoft issued more than 11 million Windows Mobile licenses last year and predicts issuing more than 20 million this current fiscal year. Microsoft also makes Windows Live, Live Search and MSN experiences available for mobile devices and has more than 70 development partners that can adapt Windows Live services for mobile phones.

Taipei, Taiwan — Nov 26, ‘07 — Taiwan-based GPS navigation device maker Mio Technology is expected to expand its product mix to include 3G GPS PDA phones in the second half of 2008, according to market sources. Reports DigiTimes.

DigiTimes further writes, “Mio’s move is a countermeasure against the strategy adopted by a number of handset vendors, including High Tech Computer (HTC), Asustek Computer, E-Ten Information Systems and BenQ, who have all extended their smartphone product lines to include 3G GPS smartphones, the sources noted.

Mio’s 3G GPS PDA phone is expected to be built using the 3.5G platform from Qualcomm and will feature integrated application services, including photo navigation, TMC (traffic message channel) and LBS (location base service), indicated the sources.” More at DigiTimes.

Helsinki, Finland - Fancy a dose of culture in the Finnish city of Oulu? All you need is a mobile phone. Says Reuters.

Get theatre tickets digitally, download a smart video trailer of how the play was directed, order and pay for snacks for the interval and, after a culture-packed night, order a taxi home — all by just swiping a cellphone over smart tags placed on the menus or around the foyer of the theatre.

The Oulu City Theatre in northern Finland, 373 miles (600 kilometers) north of Helsinki, says it is the world’s first cultural institution to use the hippest handset technology, expected to turn mobile phones into wallets.

NFC (near-field communication) technology is activated by waving phones over wireless readers, or smart tags, and is widely used in public transport access cards.

The theatre is running a pilot, involving technology from Finnish mobile phone-maker Nokia and telecommunications operator TeliaSonera, until the year-end and will extend its usage more widely if it proves successful. More at Reuters.

Taipei — Nov 21, ‘07 — Digitimes is reporting on “3Q07 North America” a report from Strategy Analytics. “Handsets from Motorola and LG Electronics (LGE), collectively accounted for seven of the top-ten best selling consumer handsets in the US in the third quarter of 2007, according to research firm Strategy Analytics.”

Digitimes further writes, “3G devices accounted for 55% of the top selling device volumes. That share will continue to grow during the fourth quarter,” states Chris Ambrosio, a director in the Wireless Practice at Strategy Analytics. “While the iPhone gets the headlines, the “Sync” from Samsung and the “Chocolate” from LG quietly stole the show in the category of iconic, 3G feature phones. Samsung, in particular, is well-positioned to dominate 3G sales during the critical fourth quarter holiday season.” More at Digitimes.

Ok let me repeat, “3G devices accounted for 55% of the top selling device volumes”, and still Apple’s so called revolutionary iPhone is NOT 3G, though rumors of 3G iPhone making rounds on the internet for a while.

Taipei, Taiwan — Nov 19, ‘07 — Steve Shen of DIGITIMES is reporting on Quanta Computer shipping a 3.5G smartphone, the RoverPC G6, to Russia-based Rover Computers, citing sources in Taiwan’s handset industry. The G6 is powered by a Marvell PXA270 processor and is equipped with a 2.7-inch touch-control display and a 2-megapixel camera.

Shen further writes, “In addition to the G6, Quanta is also manufacturing the Q6 and N6 smartphones for Rover Computers, making Quanta the largest handset contract supplier for the Russia-based vendor, the sources noted.

Rover Computers also outsources the production of its handsets to a number of other makers, including Cal-Comp Electronics of Taiwan and Lenovo, TechFaith Wireless and Amoi Electronics of China.” More at Digitimes, (google translated) Rover Computers.

Nov 17, ‘07 — iSuppli.com have an in-depth article on Google’s entry into mobile OS, Android, in which iSuppli is discussing whether Google will succeed with its mobile platform.

Excerpts from iSuppli:

- The promise: ubiquitous, mobile Internet access for millions of users worldwide.
- The stakes: a market of 324 million units and advertising revenue of $3.8 billion by 2011.
- The risk: embarking on an ambitious effort to establish a consortium to promote a new platform for mobile computing/communications, an endeavor that others have tried before—and have achieved only high-profile failure.
- The news: Google Inc.’s bold initiative to reshape the mobile-phone market by establishing a consortium of companies intended to promote a new platform for mobile-handset software that will bring Internet access to smart phone platforms.

For users, Google’s move could mean that Internet access will no longer be limited to the confines of the PC. For Google’s rivals, the establishment of the consortium means the arrival of a powerful new competitor—one that could cannibalize their sales. For Google, this initiative could allow it to achieve its goal of dominating the potentially lucrative market for mobile advertising and Location-Based Services (LBS).

Opening up handsets
Google recently announced the formation of the Open Handset Alliance, a multinational coalition of top technology and mobile communications firms. The Open Handset Alliance will focus on developing the Android software stack, a set of programs consisting of an operating system, middleware, a user-friendly interface and applications. Platforms based on Android are intended to deliver a superior user experience and improved Internet access compared to existing smartphones.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of Android is the fact that Google intends to offer the software to mobile-handset OEMs for free, or very close to free. This represents an alternative to existing software solutions like Windows Mobile, Symbian and various flavors of Linux, which incur considerable expenses for mobile-handset OEMs.

The smartphone market
Google’s announcement comes at a time when interest in such products has been stimulated by the arrival of Apple Inc.’s iPhone, which offers high-quality Internet access. Global shipments of smartphones are expected to rise to 324 million units by 2011, up from 124.3 million in 2007, according to iSuppli.

Google’s goal
Google’s goal with the establishment of the Open Handset Alliance is to become the main provider of LBS and mobile advertisements on wireless handsets, replicating its success in PC-based ads and location-oriented services like Google Earth.

Google’s interest in this area is so great that it may consider an acquisition of a provider of map navigation software. More at iSuppli.

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.

New Low-power QSC Solutions Offer Latest Modem Technologies, Multi-band Transceiver, High-performance Application Processor, Bluetooth, FM Radio and GPS in a 12mm x 12mm Package.

SAN DIEGO  —  November 13, 2007 — Qualcomm today introduced three new 45 nm single-chip solutions designed to enable mass-market smartphones with an unsurpassed range of capabilities. The QSC7230 for HSPA+ devices, QSC7830 for CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev. B devices, and multi-mode QSC7630 for both HSPA+ and EV-DO Rev. B, all feature the highest levels of integration in the wireless industry today and deliver support for third-party operating systems. These three single-chip solutions are the fifth generation of dual-core solutions from Qualcomm, comprising the next evolution of the Company’s MSM7xxx-series dual-core chipsets.

The products offer the most advanced cellular modem technologies, a multi-band RF transceiver supporting all frequency bands worldwide, an ARM11 application processor running up to 600 MHz, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, FM radio and GPS - all in a single 12×12 package. Additionally, the three chipsets feature new power-saving innovations to deliver more than 80 hours of music playback, a full day of talk time, and more than a month of standby time.

The QSC7230 supports UMTS Release 7 (HSPA+) and Cat. 9 UMTS for 10.2 Mbps HSDPA and 5.76 Mbps HSUPA data speeds. The QSC7830 supports EV-DO Rev. B for up to 14.7 Mbps on the downlink and 5.4 Mbps on the uplink. The QSC7630 supports both EV-DO Rev. B and HSPA+. All three products feature full backward compatibility to previous-generation networks, as well as:

· ARM11 applications processor running at up to 600MHz
· Support for 5 megapixel camera, VGA display resolution and TV-out
· Support for third-party operating systems such as Windows Mobile and Linux
· 45 nm CMOS process technology
· 2D and 3D hardware-accelerated graphics
· Fully integrated GPS, FM radio and Bluetooth, eliminating the need for many external components
· Integrated support for worldwide cellular frequency bands

- For CDMA2000: 450MHz, 700MHz, 800MHz, J-800MHz, 850MHz, 1500MHz, AWS, KPCS 1.8GHz, 1.9GHz, 2.1GHz, 2.5GHz
- For UMTS: 700MHz, 800MHz, 850MHz, 900MHz, 1500MHz, AWS, 1800MHz, 1900MHz, 2.1MHz, 2.6GHz
- 4-band EGPRS support in 900MHz, 1800MHz, 850MHz, 1900MHz

· 12mm x 12mm package size

The QSC solutions are scheduled to sample in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Qualcomm Makes First Call with Chips Using TSMC’s 45 nm Technology

Qualcomm today also announced that it has made the first phone call on a 3G chip manufactured with 45 nanometer (nm) process technology. The next generation of CMOS semiconductor manufacturing, 45 nm technology enables chips that feature higher speeds, lower power consumption and enhanced integration, all with reduced die cost by providing more die per wafer. Qualcomm’s call was made on the first 45 nm chips received from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest dedicated semiconductor foundry. More at Qualcomm here and here.

NEW YORK — Nov 12, ‘07 — Reuters reports, ”Microsoft said on Monday it has entered exclusive talks to buy mobile music service company Musiwave, a unit of Openwave Systems Inc.

Microsoft said an acquisition would bring Musiwave’s relationships with music labels, device makers and mobile operators together with Microsoft’s Connected Entertainment technologies including Windows Mobile, Zune and MSN. If the transaction proceeded, Musiwave would continue to operate out of its current headquarters in Paris.” More at Reuters.

Update: Microsoft Press Release :

Microsoft Corp. today announced it has entered into an exclusivity agreement around its intention to acquire Musiwave SA, an Openwave company and a leading provider of mobile music entertainment services to operators and media companies. The acquisition would bring Musiwave’s relationships with music labels, device makers and mobile operators that deliver digital entertainment to consumers, together with Microsoft’s Connected Entertainment technologies and services, including Windows Mobile, Zune, MSN and Windows Live. Should the transaction proceed, Musiwave would continue to operate out of its current headquarters in Paris.

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.

Taipei — Nov 09, ‘07 — Digitimes is reporting on Microsoft welcoming the competition from the newly enacted Open Handset Alliance (OHA)/Android, but believes there is still a long way to go before the OHA catches up with Microsoft, according to Eddie Wu, managing director of Microsoft ODM embedded devices, Asia.

Digitimes further writes, “So far, more than 140 Windows Mobile-based handsets have been launched by 50 handset and other mobile device vendors in cooperation with more than 160 telecom service providers, Wu stated.

By comparison, only four out of the 34 OHA member companies are handset makers and seven are telecom carriers, Wu noted.

Global shipments of Windows Mobile-based devices have surpassed 11 million units, with the volumes likely to top 20 million units by June 2008, the Chinese-language Commercial Times quoted Wu as saying.

Wu was also quoted by the paper as stressing that the relationship between Microsoft and High Tech Computer (HTC) will remain unchanged and that Microsoft respects HTC’s decision to join the OHA.” More at Digitimes.

Seoul, Nov 08, ‘07 — Korea Newswire – Samsung announced today that it is mass producing a 16M-color display driver IC (DDI) for active matrix-based organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) displays used in mobile phones and other handheld devices. With outstanding image quality, AMOLEDs are attracting attention from device designers as the next generation display technology of choice.

The global mobile communications market is transitioning rapidly from 2.5G products to 3G technology platforms that support a wider range of multimedia functions and services, including digital media broadcasting (DMB) and video telephony. Samsung’s new mobile DDI for AMOLED displays support qVGA (quarter Video Graphics Array) resolutions (240 RGB by 320 dots) and is capable of producing a range of over sixteen million colors. It is well in step with the recent expansion of multimedia functions and services offered in mobile devices.

The AMOLED display is a self-luminous device that works by having electrical current flow between two thin films made of organic material. This allows for designs that are lighter and thinner than other display types. Images are shown at the speed of light, so they look natural without the ghosting effects seen in such fast-paced video sequences as sporting events. These characteristics have proven