Nokia seeks to patent light messaging

For times where :-) just doesn't quite convey the message.

Buzz on the Web is that Nokia has filed a patent for light messaging. Unless you text in that you're mad or happy, chances are that you'd have append a :-) or :-( to set the tone of the message at some point of time. This helps to let the receiving party know how you were feeling when you sent the text.

Just think of these subtle SMS emoticons in the form of colored lighting and you'll have an idea of what the Finns are up to. It works like this. Before you hit Send, you get an option to select a color, and depending on your mood or the urgency of the SMS, you may select red for high priority (or fuming mad) or blue for sad. The encoded color will then be displayed either via LEDs or on the keypad of the receiver's phone.

Sounds like a feasible idea even though it's gimmicky. I'm just not sure how I can deal with a discotheque phone.

Via NewScientist

Apple warns of static shock from iPhone, iPod

iPhone and iPod users may experience a "small and quick" shock via their earbuds due to a buildup of static electricity, Apple warned Monday.

People listening to one of the devices in extremely dry air are most at risk of receiving a static electricity shock through the ear buds, according to a warning posted on Apple's Web site. The post likened the condition to the discharge that occurs when a person drags his or her feet across a carpet then gets a shock by touching a door knob.

However, Apple asserted that this condition did not necessarily indicate that Apple's equipment was malfunctioning.

"This condition is not limited to Apple hardware and static can potentially build up on almost any hardware and could be discharged using any brand of earbuds," Apple said.
Read more »

Nokia 6600i slide makes a beeline for tiny pockets

The Finns have just added another 5-megapixel slider to their burgeoning list of camera-phones. Aside from a brushed steel chassis and higher-resolution shooter, the upcoming 6600i slide has the same footprint, quad-band GSM with 3G and 2.2-inch QVGA display as the earlier 6600 slide. The built-in motion sensor lets you snooze alarms, silence and reject calls. It runs on the S40 platform as opposed to the more feature-packed S60 software and will ship with a 1GB microSD card to Asia Pacific next quarter. Silver and black versions will be made available.

Rumor: Next-gen iPhone to launch July 17

The next iPhone will have twice the processing power, a longer battery life, an OLED screen and a rubberized backing. If blogsite Apple iPhone Apps' source is to be believed, the rumored smartphone will also get a 3.2-megapixel camera with video recording, MMS capabilities, a built-in FM transmitter, onboard compass, turn-by-turn navigation, and an illuminated Apple logo at the back.

That's not all.
Read more »

BlackBerry Storm 2 could hit as early as June

As if June wasn't packed enough with new smartphone launches, there are rumors that the RIM BlackBerry Storm 2 may just hit Verizon Wireless stores in the same month.

BlackberryOS.com says it received a tip from an "insider" (a senior-level Verizon employee, apparently) who says Verizon has been training its tech support on the Storm 2 all week and that they've been told to be ready to support the smartphone by the end of May. Though the tipster could not give a specific release date, she said it would be out by the end of June at the latest.

The next-generation Storm was confirmed by RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie in early May, though he did not provide much information about the device. There's some speculation that the new Storm will forgo the SurePress touch screen and will have Wi-Fi.

Perhaps Verizon was feeling a little left out of the party with Sprint's Palm Pre launch and the imminent iPhone announcement. And while hope springs eternal that the BlackBerry Storm 2 will be better than the first, what does this mean for current BlackBerry Storm customers?

Via CNET Crave with additional sources from Electronista and Engadget Mobile.

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