Ringtones go to the dogs

Love dogs. Love the Japanese even more for their highly bizarre gizmos. No other country has consistently amused and amazed the world with its weird and wacked-out inventions. Try topping this latest doggone idea--ringtones audible only to dogs, from Tokyo-based interactive content provider Dwango [PDF in Japanese]. Whatever were they thinking? Just in case you reckon this for a joke, Dwango's dubbed the download service very clearly as Inu ni shika kikoenai chakushinon. Translated, that reads: "Ringtones only dogs can hear." Take a bow-wow, mutts of the world. But since this is available specifically for DoCoMo's i-mode phones, only Japanese dogs need apply.

Via CrunchGear

Nokia acquires Symbian; sets up Symbian Foundation with other players

We already know that Nokia has been using the S60 platform for many of its devices, but things took an interesting turn today when the Finnish phone-maker announced plans to acquire the remaining shares of Symbian Ltd that it don't already own.

It will then contribute the software to the non-profit Symbian Foundation established with other major players in the market, such as AT&T, LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, STMicroelectonics, Texas Instruments and Vodafone, to accelerate the development of the platform.

Sony Ericsson, Motorola and NTT DoCoMo have also announced their intent to contribute their UIQ and MOAP(S) assets to the foundation.

So what do all these mean to you? Nothing, unless you are a software developer already working with any of the brands mentioned above.

What's interesting to note is that the foundation has committed to move the platform toward open source in the next two years and the codes will be available to its members under a royalty-free license. The foundation is expected to start operating during the first half of 2009.

Are all these a direct response to Google's Open Handset Alliance? What do you think? Share your thoughts in Talkback.

Via Engadget

Last call for Motorola: An 8mp camera-phone?

Boy Genius Report is at it again. Having scooped the Nokia E71 review recently, Boy Genius is now reporting that Moto is working on an 8-megapixel camera-phone codenamed Alexander, which the company is placing all its hopes on to turn its mobile phone business around. Below are the specs that were mentioned and, in brackets, our thoughts.

It's likely an 8-megapixel camera-phone. (Moto did say at the launch of the ZINE ZN5 that it was more focused on bringing better image quality rather than get caught up with the megapixel race. So we're not too sure about cramping more pixels onto a tiny sensor, unless some work has been done on the hardware side of things.)

It will have a built-in Nvidia chip that handles both video and 3D graphics. (Tegra perhaps?)

It will have GPS. (Sure, Moto may be late, but better late than never.)

It is rumored to run UIQ, "probably version 4.0 or higher". (We're fine with that, but that's not going to help it compete with the big boys.)

It is set for release in October. (It's not impossible, but we are placing bets on the later part of Q4.)

The ball's now in Moto's court.

Via Boy Genius Report
Pictured is the ZINE ZN5

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iPhone 3G gets priced in Japan

According to a Reuters report, the 8GB iPhone 3G will cost 23,040 yen (US$213), while the higher-capacity 16GB model will retail for 34,560 yen (US$319). Subscribers will need to sign a two-year contract when the handset, distributed exclusively by Softbank, launches in Japan on July 11. They can also take up a plan which will allow them to talk for free among Softbank subscribers for most of the day and unlimited data usage at 7,280 yen (US$67) per month.

The iPhone 3G will also be available in Australia (Optus and Vodafone), Hong Kong (Hutchinson Telecom) and New Zealand (Vodafone) on July 11, while Macau, the Philippines and Singapore will get the handset later this year. As for the rest of the countries in Asia, well, it could be a long wait, or never.

Via Reuters

Samsung churns out another Olympic phone

Samsung may have had some trouble figuring out which phones it wants to produce for this summer's Beijing Olympic, but apparently it's decided it will settle for nothing less than the gold. In addition to the 18k P318+ it gilded last year, the Korean company now plans to another gold-plated handset.

The special-edition version of its triband SGH-D780 DuoS has a 2.1-inch display, 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, FM radio, and a microSD card slot. And, if you look closely, you can see the Olympic rings.

It's a little surprising the logo isn't more prominent, especially now that this is the official phone for the Russian Olympic Team, according to Gadgetell. But we certainly aren't going to complain, given some of the alternatives.

Via CNET Crave

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