Posts in Mobile Phones
Fujitsu's waterproof, fingerprint-scanning phone
Erica Ogg | Jan 21, 2009
Fujitsu phone is waterproof and uses fingerprint-scanning technology.
(Credit: Tech-On)
It's a sleek-looking phone with some serious, sophisticated technological and rugged credentials. It's submersible--it will still work if dunked in 1m of water for up to 30 minutes--and also functions as a fingerprint-scanning device.
The phone uses AuthenTec's TouchStone technology, which is a fingerprint scanner that is utilized to navigate the device's controls, and TrueFinger, which is security software from AuthenTec, which matches fingerprint patterns. It's the first phone to use the software/hardware combination, according to AuthenTec.
The F-01A also functions as a normal (for Japan, anyway) phone: It's a Symbian-based phone with a 3.5-inch VGA touch-screen. There's a 5.2-megapixel camera, built-in GPS, mobile payment capabilities, and a built-in TV tuner.
It's going to be available from NTT DoCoMo in Japan, though no prices are available yet.
Via CNET Crave
Microsoft to unveil WM online services next month?
John Chan | Jan 20, 2009
SkyBox and SkyLine are used to sync phones to an online server. Items like email, contacts, SMS and calendar can all be backed up using these services. The difference between the two services sees the former aimed at consumers and the latter for small businesses.
SkyMarket is the codename for the WM applications marketplace. This is similar to Apple's App Store and, if rolled out, should make it much easier for users to find third-party programs for their devices.
Supposedly, all these will be unveiled at the Barcelona-based Mobile World Congress in February along with an updated version of its mobile operating system, WM 6.5. It won't be long before we find out if there's any truth to these rumors.
Via the::unwired
Nokia 5730 XpressMusic gets hands-on treatment
Damian Koh | Jan 20, 2009
(Credit: Mobile-review)
Nokia hasn't officially introduced the 5730 XpressMusic to the world yet, but Russian site Mobile-review has already posted an in-depth hands-on preview of the handset blessed with a side-sliding QWERTY. The Finnish phone-maker already has a few QWERTY devices in its lineup, but these are mainly available on the Eseries. A pull-out keyboard on a music-centric phone model? That's probably a first.
Some of the impressions mentioned were a glossy front that attracts fingerprints, a spring-loaded QWERTY that slides effortlessly, vibrant display and generous buttons on the keyboard. Other features on the 2.5G set include dedicated music controls (typical of the XpressMusic range), microSD expansion card slot, micro-USB port, 3.5mm audio jack, 3.2-megapixel camera with LED flash, 2-inch QVGA display, Bluetooth stereo, EDGE and built-in GPS.
Of course, these mean nothing until Nokia decides to come clean with the device. According to Mobile-review, the 5730 XpressMusic will hit stores in April at a modest price of 220 euros. That makes it a likely candidate as a budget S60 QWERTY handset if it eventually makes its way to Asia.
Via Engadget
Will you call your girlfriend while pooping?
John Chan | Jan 19, 2009
If a recent survey of mobile phone usage habits commissioned by the Windows Mobile team at Microsoft is anything to go by, we Asians seem to have an unhealthy obsession with our handsets.
This survey was conducted across five countries in Asia Pacific (Australia, China, India, Japan and Taiwan) and came up with some interesting conclusions. For example, 20 percent of Taiwanese respondents are likely to use their mobile phones during extremely intimate moments. Since no details were given, the mind boggles at what this involves.
Equaling surprising was the finding that those in China (68 percent) and Taiwan (66 percent) are most likely to use their phone in the toilet. So if you are thrashing out a deal with a mainland business partner, don't be too alarmed if you suddenly hear the flush of a toilet.
Read more »
What's the deal with DRM-free music?
Damian Koh | Jan 19, 2009
Nokia's Comes with Music unlimited music download service is poised to roll out in Australia and Singapore in the next two months.
(Credit: Nokia)
Last week, Sony Ericsson introduced PlayNow kiosks which will let its mobile phone users download multimedia content, among them DRM-free music, from the standalone stations in stores. A fortnight ago, Apple announced that the 10 million songs on iTunes will be unshackled from DRM this year.
Copyright protection has to go for the music industry to survive. One reason I don't buy music online is because most of the current offerings are wrapped up in digital rights management. Tunes downloaded from the online Nokia Music Store and MotoMusic come with Windows Media DRM. Sony Ericsson's unlimited music download service, PlayNow plus, is also swaddled with copyright protection. We recently learned that Nokia's Comes with Music is poised to roll out in Australia and Singapore in the next two months. That also has its own restrictions.
Depending on where you buy the songs, downloaded tracks could either be played on selected devices or you can keep them for only a period of time, which basically sucks. Is DRM an unnecessary evil? Chime in your thoughts in Talkback.
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