Nokia gets into the Asian music scene

Homegrown music talents in the Asia-Pacific region now have a new platform to showcase their latest song creations. The Independent Artists Club (IAC) Web site launched recently by Nokia aims to promote local artists in the region by allowing them to upload their songs on the Web for music fans around the world to enjoy.

The IAC program will launched in Singapore and Thailand first, before being rolled out over the next six months to selected Asia-Pacific countries including Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand.

With each IAC country launch, selected local artists will initially be invited to upload their tracks. After which the Web site will be open to all artists for song uploading. The Singapore IAC site is expected to open up for the public to upload their songs in Mid-December.
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Answer the phone with a universal remote

We've long had a love-hate relationship with universal remotes (mostly hate), so we're conflicted over how to view this model being developed in Australia. On one hand, we hold the general view that most universal remotes are evil, as they rarely work as promised; on the other, a version like the "Telemax III" would come in mighty handy because it has a built-in handsfree phone--which, in fact, might be the only way we'd ever answer a call while watching TV.

The Telemax is still only in prototype stage, though designer Tiller + Tiller hopes to have it in production worldwide by 2009 or so. The only thing that seems a little weird is its form, which Gizmag describes as "shaped like a small tray". Then again, it could be a good way to hold a bowl of chips.

Via Crave CNET

"Excuse me, did you just grope me?"

It's a double whammy if you are a woman living in Japan because you are not only a likely target of sexual harassment, you are also often too embarrassed to report the offender. In 2005, 1,853 people were arrested for groping train commuters in Tokyo, according to figures by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. That's not inclusive of those who got away scot-free.

Fortunately, there's a more discreet way to ward off further assaults by these scumbags. The Anti-Groping Appli developed by Takahashi is a mobile phone software that flashes messages in bold print on the victim's handset screen, which the latter can show it to the offender (honestly we think it's more effective to shove it up their rear end).

The messages get increasingly threatening from "Excuse me, did you just grope me?" to "Groping is a crime" to "Shall we head to the police?". Each of these is accompanied by a warning chime when the victim hits the "Anger" icon on the application. Although why bother with text messages which likely won't deter the offender, when a kick in the unmentionables ought to do the trick.

Still, this being Japan, it just won't do to be impolite, even to your groper.

Via Ubergizmo (Source: Yahoo News)
Picture credit: Ubergizmo

Office Mobile to come as an optional download?

Heard from a Microsoft representative at the recent Motorola Q 9h launch in Singapore. According to the source, smart phone users will be able to download the Office Mobile application and run it alongside whatever Office viewer/reader already preinstalled in the device. We even had a demo of a Q 9h unit with both the Documents To Go (which is the default Office application for the handset) and Office Mobile installed. We were told that this standalone version of the Office Mobile, which will support the latest Office 2007 files, is expected to be available as an optional download from Microsoft before the end of this year.

There was no mention of whether the Office Mobile download will be available for other versions of the Windows Mobile 6 (WM6) OS other than the Standard edition for smart phones. Nor could we get a fix on the price for the Office Mobile download.
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Charm your dates with Thrrum

It's always good to impress your gal the old fashioned way with wads of cash or a swanky new ride. But today's women want their men to be well-informed and well-read. That's where Thrrum steps in to help sweep your date off her feet with your amazing knowledge.

Here's how we imagine the scenario. You're out to impress your partner at a posh restaurant and you're at a loss which tipple to order. Now pretend to scrutinize the wine list while pointing the camera on your phone at the name of the alcoholic beverage. With a click of a button, you'll get relevant information, prices and more on the Thrrum Visual Browser.

What's the catch? The software costs US$5.99 and that includes 12 months of access to the camera-phone search service powering the Visual Browser. Currently, it works only on the Nokia N73, N95 and select Sony Ericsson models such as the K810, K850 and T650. You'll also need to have a wireless data service plan from your telco operator.

Now, go on, impress your date with your newfound knowledge.

Via CNET Crave
Picture credit: Thrrum

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