Posts in Mobile Phones
RAZR V3xx joins the Moto RED family
Reuben Lee | Aug 31, 2007
Motorola has added the HSDPA-enabled RAZR V3xx to its Moto RED family, in aid of the (PRODUCT) RED initiative to help raise funds and awareness to fight Aids in Africa. This is the second Motorola phone in Singapore to be released with the Moto RED label, after the RAZR V3. According to Motorola, the (RED) Motorola RAZR V3xx has already been launched in Australia.
Globally, Motorola has released several other phones and Bluetooth heasets with the Moto RED label. These include the KRZR K1, RAZR V3i, RAZR V3m, SLVR L7 as well as the H3 and H500 headsets.
The RED Motorola RAZR V3xx will be available from StarHub and M1 at retail prices of S$98 and S$168, respectively, beginning September 1. Prices mentioned are with two-year price plans.
Editors' note:
We apologise for the errors in the prices posted previously. The article has since been amended to reflect the changes.
LG Viewty not exactly viewer-friendly
Damian Koh | Aug 31, 2007
Besides having to trot long distances between exhibition halls, one of the things journos visiting large tradeshows such as the IFA have to deal with is rejection. Apparently we weren't allowed to hold the LG KU990 in our hands and take our own pictures. We had to get the model "guarding" the booth to hold it for us before we're allowed to snap. That's like totally ridiculous? Seriously, is there a difference? We say not. Or perhaps it's just me.
Whatever it is, the Viewty LG KU990 is making a debut here at IFA Berlin and it looks set to take on Sony Ericsson's Cyber-shots with an impressive list of specifications. Among them are a 5.1-megapixel Schneider-Kreuznach lens with both auto and manual focus, onboard Xenon flash, image stabilizer and a maximum sensitivity of ISO 800. Like the Prada Phone before it, the KU990 features a generous 3-inch touch-sensitive widescreen LCD. In use, the KU990 is actually more user-friendly than the Prada as it gives a haptic feedback when we are punching the buttons on the screen. While we weren't allowed to take pictures (again) of the camera in action, suffice to say, it looks pretty good so far.
Other features include a SmartLight technology that claims to be able to brighten pictures, even indoor one as well as those shot at night (sounds like Nikon's D-Lighting to us), HSDPA connectivity and content upload to YouTube directly. The KU990 is expected to be available in Europe from Q4. No word on when our side of the world gets it.
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eGear's power bricks on-the-go
Reuben Lee | Aug 31, 2007
So ok, we got to check out the eGear portable power in between our hectic COMEX schedule. Having been in a position where my mobile phone battery has flatlined before with no power source around to rescue the day, eGear's external battery options could prove a lifesaver.
Outside of Asia, Japan seems to have tackled that problem with external power packs sold at convenience stores for a quick power-up charge, good enough for 10 minutes more of talktime. There are even charging stations in key shopping malls, but all these are good only for the traveler with a Japanese handset--3G GSM handset, be damned. So yes, we can see ourselves carting along one of these eGear handy power packs either on overseas junkets or traipsing through the Amazon jungle (though some smart aleck said he won't be surprised if there was a five-star hotel among the fauna and flora). That said, cellular coverage might be non-existent for all that, and an external power pack could just be deadweight on the trek.
But if you're the kind who likes to be prepared for all eventualities, like yours truly who's a gadget hound, the UB-180 (as shown here in black) is a handy 1,800mAh battery pack that comes with a standard USB charging port. Connectors for major mobile phone brands as well as standard DC port options are bundled with the package, but other devices such as the PSP and iPod can also be used with the charger via optional USB charging cables. The battery pack itself is recharged via the mini-USB connector. The UB-181 (as shown here in white) battery pack is similar to the UB-180, but sports an additional voltage selector switch. Both UB-series units cost S$89 each.
Those spending more time outdoors may want to check out the S-220 option which we like for its 2,200mAh Lithium-ion battery pack that can be recharged via onboard solar panels. The tech specs says it takes about 8-10 hours to fully recharge the cells using the sun's rays (at 20,000 lux) or approximately 3-5 hours via an AC adapter. The S-220 retails for about S$199 with DC and phone connectors for the major cellular brands.
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Samsung SGH-i620 spotted at IFA
Damian Koh | Aug 31, 2007
Looks like the rumored SGH-i620 does exist after all and it's making a showing here at Samsung's booth at IFA Berlin. As reported earlier, the Windows Mobile 6 QWERTY smart phone comes with a 2-megapixel camera, microSD card slot and HSDPA connectivity. While some would associate the i620 as the successor to the current i600, it isn't quite the same compared with the latter. In the hand, the i620 feels a little plasticky, probably due to its lightness, and the keys on the QWERTY keyboard don't provide enough tactile feedback. The main controls on the top fascia are touch-sensitive, similar to those on the U700. So that may work for some and not for others. Click on the pictures for a quick peep at the new smart phone.
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Nokia shows us the door
John Chan | Aug 29, 2007
Mobile phone giant Nokia has announced Ovi, a platform for its trio of Internet services. Ovi means door in Finnish, representing its purpose as a gateway to Nokia's new music store, maps and N-Gage services.
Ovi will go live during the fourth quarter of 2007 in English, and Nokia expects to launch it in other languages in the first half of 2008. Of the three services that will be available, the Nokia Music Store is the only completely new item. The other two, N-Gage and Nokia Maps, have existed in other forms within the company's portfolio previously, though they will now come with an online element.
According to Nokia, there will be tracks for sale at its music store from Universal Music Group which represents many popular artists like Def Leppard, Luciano Pavarotti and U2. Other yet unnamed labels have also signed on, and the company said there will be millions of tracks available for sale after its launch.
Currently, the dominant force in online music sales is Apple's iTunes Music Store. The iTunes application sells music, videos and games for iPods. Nokia's range of services with Ovi is very similar, though its N-Gage service seems to be a much more important part of Ovi than iPod games are to iTunes. An important aspect of Nokia's Music Store is that it can be accessed from a mobile phone. Tracks can be bought over the cellular network, which is still something that can't be done using Apple's iPhone for iTunes purchase.
The N-Gage was Nokia's range of gaming phones which discontinued in late 2005. The name is now used for its new gaming service which will serve up games for various Nokia Series 60 handsets. The N81, also announced today, is one such mobile phone designed to improve the gaming experience with its button orientation. More on the new N-Gage here.
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