LG KS20 on sale in Germany

Like Samsung, LG has never really been tied to a single OS for its devices. It announced the WM6 KS20 a while back and is finally ready to put it in the hands of end-users--if you are German, that is. In a deal with Vodafone Germany, the KS20 will go on sale there with a price starting from 219.90 euros.

The biggest selling point of this handheld has to be its Prada Phone-like form factor. Its specifications are pretty ordinary with a QVGA display, Wi-Fi and HSDPA connectivity, among others.

We are awaiting a response from LG about the availability of the KS20 in Asia Pacific. More on that once the company gets back to us.

Vodafone Germany (via the::unwired)

Surf the Net on your bus ride home

You may be able to get free Wi-Fi almost anywhere in Singapore with the Wireless@SG initiative which aims to wire up the whole island state, but that is surely insufficient for the true Internet junkie. For up to two hours each day when traveling on a bus, a Net addict has to undergo cold turkey as his notebook becomes nothing more than a slab of plastic and silicon without wireless access. Well, a fix has been found. Nokia has brought Wi-Fi onto 12 buses in Singapore so that commuters can surf for free when riding them.

This feat is achieved by using the existing cellular HSDPA service. The best thing is that users don't need a HSDPA-enabled phone or modem as the equipment dishes out the access using regular Wi-Fi within the bus. So, this moving hotspot will give you your YouTube and Facebook fix as long as the cellular network is healthy along the bus route.

Unlike Wireless@SG, you don't have to sign up for an account to use Nokia's Wi-Fi Zone service. The unsecured network just requires you to agree to some terms of service and after that, you're good to go. Nokia says this is a trial for now and that it will review the service in a few months time. It's a first from the company, so you won't find it outside of Singapore at this point.

There are only 12 buses plying 12 different routes at this point--so chances of hopping on one even if you use the particular bus service is not guaranteed. If you are truly and hopelessly hooked to the Internet, we suggest getting your own HSDPA modem and an unlimited plan--that will work on any bus.

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What an app on Google's Android might look like

Valleywag is reporting that start-up WhatsOpen.com has written the first wireless app for Google's new Android mobile platform.

It's still under wraps, but the report says WhatsOpen.com offers a Web application that shows people nearby stores that are open for business.

Valleywag has screenshots that show that the application appears to use a Google map mashup to display stores that are open in your area. It also looks like it includes user written reviews.

Looks like a no-brainer to me; who wouldn't want to get that kind of information on a phone based on your location? Especially if it's easily searchable and displayed on a map.

No word back from Google or WhatsOpen.com about it.

Google announced Android on Monday and said a software developer's kit would be released next week and handsets running Android would reach the market mid-2008.

Motorola's noise-canceling Bluetooth headset

I've always found it a challenge to make voice calls in noisy environments, even with a Bluetooth headset. Chances are you end up shouting at the party on the line while straining to hear what he has to say. So when Motorola recently announced its latest MotorPure H12 Bluetooth headset that's designed for better performance in noisy settings, that caught my attention.

The MotoPure H12's noise-canceling abilities are a result of various technologies integrated into the headset. In addition to the audio-enhancing CrystalTalk technology which was previously found only in selected Motorola mobiles, the H12 also uses dual microphones for better voice clarity and employs the TrueComfort earbud design for a better fit.

According to our CNET UK counterparts who had a brief hands-on with the H12, the headset is pretty much similar to the Jawbone in terms of sound quality. It's also easy to put on and is relatively comfortable to use. The H12 comes with a convenient magnetic dock for charging as well as a carrying case that doubles as a charger for traveling.

The MotoPure H12 is expected to roll out in Asia by end December. Pricing details are not yet available. But based on the retail prices announced in the US, we estimate it will cost somewhere between US$90 and US$120.

E-Ten glofiish X800 now in stores

It's been a busy week for mobile phones and handhelds--here's one more. The E-Ten glofiish X800 has finally arrived in Singapore. According to the local spokesperson, it will be rolled out across Asia Pacific very soon, too, so look out for it in your local stores.

Originally slated for a September release, the X800 was delayed due to the manufacturer's tweaking of the software. It's still not too late though as this handheld remains one of the first WM6 (Windows Mobile 6) devices with a VGA display to be commercially available. There are others like the O2 Xda Flame and Dopod U1000, but those have much larger form factors and may not exactly be suited for the same target audience as the X800.

For those in Singapore, this glofiish is going for S$1,188 bundled with a 1GB microSD card and MapKing software with Singapore maps for navigation. The operators are not offering the device here, so discounts with mobile plans don't apply. Check with your local retailer for the price in your country.

We will be putting the X800 through its paces in the coming week, so look out for the CNET Asia review soon.

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