Posts in Mobile Phones
Bluetooth headset for your fixed line
Darius Chang | Jun 20, 2007
If you are one of those who use fixed lines as often as your mobile phone, then Plantronics has a Bluetooth headset solution for you.
The Platronics Voyager 510SL is a combination Bluetooth earpiece and base station. The headset is programmed for multipoint connections, which allow you to pair with your mobile as well as the base. By hooking up the latter with your fixed-line phone, you can use the headset for any calls coming in from either the handset or home phone. The Voyager 510SL is also equipped with a noise cancellation microphone, providing clear communication even in loud environments.
The Plantronics Voyager 510SL is available now but does not come cheap at US$379.95 (S$583.51). However, if the base station is not needed, the Voyager 510 Bluetooth earpiece can be purchased separately for US$99.95 (S$153.50).
More CommunicAsia 2007 coverage here.
Mask yourself on your mobile
Stephen Tong | Jun 20, 2007
cMask is Singapore's and, supposedly, one of Asia's very first two-way anonymous mobile communications services to allow chatting via SMS or voice call. From a consumer perspective, dating seems to be one of the obvious uses and it seems that was the idea given that GlobalRoam and Singapore.cupid.com teamed up to introduce cMask.
The dynamics are as follows. Let's take it that "A" wants to contact "B". Now A registers and adds B's real number to cMask, after which A is given an cMask number, which is effectively a random fixed line number. A types the cMask number appended with B's contact number. B then receives the call and sees only the cMask number of A.
Why the need to conceal your identity, you might ask? Well, if B starts pestering A too much, A can simply block B and obviously you won't need to go through the hassle of changing your phone number.
As this is a very new service, users can register their demo accounts for free. The actual launch is currently pending Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) regulatory approval. For the actual usage cost, local incoming and outgoing SMS within Singapore cost S$0.10 each, while text to and from other countries costs S$0.15. Calls to and from other countries vary and can be viewed in detail at cMask's Web site.
| Editors' note:
June 21, 2007--We have amended the text to mention that cMask is a team up of the two mentioned parties and that A is given a cMask number as opposed to an Interactive Voice Response number.
|
More CommunicAsia 2007 coverage here.
Speedier connections ahead for M1 HSDPA users
Juniper Foo | Jun 19, 2007
This just out. Singapore telco MobileOne (M1) is putting the speed into its HSPA (high speed packet access) wireless broadband service, thanks to an upgrade of its network by Nokia Siemens Networks.
With the accelerator needle now jumping up to 10.8Mbps, from 3.6Mbps, this means a three-fold increase in downlink capacity. More importantly to the end user, this means no faltering connections even in high load conditions and an increasing pool of consumers.
HSPA enhances mobile broadband with two key technologies: HSDPA (high speed downlink packet access) and HSUPA (high speed uplink packet access). This enables data speeds of up to 42Mbps in the downlink, and up to 11Mbps in the uplink in the future.
The upgrade is part of an agreement drawn up by both parties last year, after M1 awarded Nokia with a US$30 million contract to supply it with an HSPA network. This called for Nokia to expand M1's WCDMA 3G radio network coverage and upgrade its core network as well as provide a software upgrade. Nokia Siemens Networks later came into effect on April 1, 2007.
More CommunicAsia 2007 coverage here.
SingTel first in APAC to offer free mobile email service
Damian Koh | Jun 19, 2007
SingTel today has announced that it is offering free push-email to its postpaid customers. This, it claims, is the first of its kind in Asia Pacific. Unlike traditional emails, push-email provides an always-on connection that delivers emails directly to the mobile device.
Called MobileM@il, the pushmail service is based on an advertising platform developed by Consilient, a software company. It, however, assures that users will get "minimal number of text and graphical ads side-by-side with subscribers' email messages".
However, for users who are roaming, data charges will still apply.
MobileM@il supports multiple email accounts from SingNet, Yahoo, Gmail and Hotmail, as well as the ability to insert and save attachments.
Users can either visit any SingTel outlet or the company's IDEAS WAP portal to sign up for this service. A similar but paid service will be available at a later date.
More CommunicAsia 2007 coverage here.
Sky Voice: Free local calls over VoIP
Darius Chang | Jun 19, 2007
With broadband penetration reaching new heights, everyone wants to get a piece of the VoIP action, and Sky Voice is no exception. Similar to other VoIP services like Skype and pFingo Talk, Sky Voice provides free audio calls over the Sky Voice Network. If you require calls to mobile or fixed lines, a monthly subscription fee of S$15.75 (US$11.34) gives you free local calls, though international numbers require additional charges ranging from S$0.07 (US$0.05) to S$0.30 (US$0.22) per min.
Sky Voice networks can be accessed through a virtual Softphone on your Windows system or via handsets retailed by the company. The Softphone application is a free download available on its Web site. The SkyVoice S282 (pictured) is a combination GSM/Wi-Fi device which allows you to connect to either the VoIP network or normal mobile phone lines. The Wireless IP3000 does not have a GSM radio, hence it's usable only in areas with wireless Internet connection.
The two handsets cost S$598 (US$430.43) and S$188 (US$135.32), respectively.
So how does Sky Voice rate against its competitors? Skype offers Mac compatibility and video calls, features which are missing from Sky Voice. Moreover, until it releases a Java version of its Softphone, you cannot use Sky Voice on other Wi-Fi enabled handhelds, something which Skype also covers. For SMS addicts, pFingo is a better option, as Sky Voice does not have messaging functionality at this point. However, Skype does not give free local calls and pFingo does not allow dialing to international numbers.
More CommunicAsia 2007 coverage here.
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