Turn your mobile phone into a connected Webcam

Technology just bashes aside its own barriers, doesn't it?

A minute ago, the hardware required for mobile live video streaming would include a Webcam, a laptop that's Wi-Fi-connected and some online service like Ustream.

But that's just plain heavy in terms of mobility. And unless there's blanket Wi-Fi coverage in your city, you would need to make sure you are blogging within the vicinity of a hotspot. Not so convenient.

Now what if your mobile phone can replace all that hassle?

Over the weekend, we've been trying out a California-based service that turns a camera-phone into a mobile Webcam with just a quick app install. It's called Qik and it is still in alpha.

While we are not allowed to comment on its performance as yet, we can say that we are impressed with the still-raw program. It's an ingenious (and cheap) way to widen the functionality of a mobile phone.

What you need is a Nokia phone with data connectivity (3G/GPRS/Wi-Fi) and a data plan (preferably unlimited because the streaming makes it data-heavy). Installation was quick and painless. And once you are set, any video captured by your phone will be streamed and recorded (a bit of lag here) to your personal Qik.com page. Friends will be able to view your streams and past videos right there and, if you choose to enable it, you can stream direct to your Twitter account as well.

       

For more images of Qik, click on the images.

Via The Digital Movement

Crave Talk: Nintendo must make a mobile phone

Playing games on a mobile phone is about as enjoyable as untangling a pair of headphones when you're stuck in the middle of a train during rush hour. The quality of titles available is very low, and today's phones simply aren't designed for fast, reliable button pressing. Don't get me wrong--things are getting better--but for the love of thumb-tapping, Nintendo must make a mobile phone.
Read more »

Doromobile's HandleEasy frees your mind for other stuff

When was the last time you looked at a phone and walked away feeling more depressed than ever because you didn't understand half the features on the handset? The phone-makers seem to understand what we want more than we do. So we end up with a mobile phone that's endowed with all the wizardry we'll never use. If you're fed up like our Crave UK counterparts, you might want to consider the Doro HandleEasy 326gsm by Doromobile.

The Doro HandleEasy bucks the trend by stripping down to bare basics, bringing us back to the Stone Age of mobile history--to simply make and receive calls. The buttons are massive, straightforward and toy-like even, but that's the whole point anyway. We're just not too convinced by its 99.99 pounds price tag, and that's before factoring in the shipping costs. If you're unfazed by the price, then this might be a handset that's really (and we mean it) easy to handle.

Via Crave UK

PlayStation phone rumors resurface

Talk of a convergence device that incorporates features from the Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable) and a mobile phone first emerged when one of Sony Ericsson's senior vice presidents revealed to CNET Asia that the company was working on something related to it.

After more than a year, the rumor was reignited after Sony Computer Entertainment COO Jim Ryan told The Economic Times that a PlayStation phone is a future possibility. In the same article, he acknowledges that such a device will be challenging to make as mobile phones usually have small screens and keys which hinder the gaming experience.

No timeline was given though we understand that it usually takes two years to develop a new lineup of phones--so don't expect an announcement the next day.

Combining two distinct brands to create a mobile phone is not new to the company. A line of Bravia (Sony's TV brand) phones made by Sony Ericsson meant for mobile TV viewing are sold in Japan by operator NTT DoCoMo.

Mobile phones with gaming capabilities have been tried before. The most well-known are the N-Gage devices from Nokia which have since been discontinued. That brand name still lives on as the company's gaming service meant to be used with its Nseries mobile phones.

Via: The Economic Times and Kotaku

BlackBerry Connect now preloaded on Sony Ericsson P1i

Mobile email warriors, rejoice! The BlackBerry Connect software v4.0 will now come preloaded on the Sony Ericsson P1i in several Asia-Pacific countries including Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

Some of the additional features supported in this version are enhanced attachment capabilities, remote access to corporate email address directory, Internet/intranet access via the BlackBerry Mobile Data System and remote control of email settings. There's no additional cost for existing P1i users to download the client. According to Sony Ericsson, installing the application requires approximately 4MB of free space and it should not affect fully certified Symbian-signed software that's already on the handheld. However, as with all software updates, it’s always a good practice to ensure that your data in the device is properly backed up before installation.

Users of the M600i and P990i are not left in the lurch as well. They, too, can download BlackBerry Connect at Sony Ericsson's product support page here and here, respectively.

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