Vodafone sells 100,000 iPhones in a week Tweet

The operator started selling the device last Thursday (14 January)

Vodafone has sold 100,000 iPhones since the device went on sale on its network last Thursday.

The network followed Orange and Tesco Mobile in launching Apple’s device, breaking O2's exclusive contract.

Vodafone CEO, Guy Laurence, said: ‘The demand from both consumer and business customers has been phenomenal. They want an outstanding phone on an outstanding network and we're delivering that.’

The operator said last week that it would deliver over 50,000 iPhones on its first day of going on sale, to customers who pre-ordered the device online.

Orange is thought to have sold around 100,000 iPhones during December last year.

source

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JTrek Smartphone Personal Security App Downloaded More Than 5000 Times During Consumer Electronics Show 'CES 2010' Week Tweet

JTrek a ground-breaking personal security Smartphone App for popular mobile phones including Android, Blackberry, iPhone, Nokia-Symbian, and Windows Mobile OS, offers safety for cell phone users that can literally save lives.

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. -- Rolling Meadows, Ill.-based company, JTrek, LLC developed this new patent-pending personal security and safety application for Smartphones. It's the world's first fully functional mobile wireless surveillance system built into cell phones, using video, photos, audio, and GPS information to report crime as it occurs. Prior to exhibiting at CES 2010, the company released Version 2.0, offering updated support for Nokia Smartphones, additional security features, and an improved user interface.

How does JTrek® work? It incorporates the same video/photo surveillance techniques used in automatic teller machines, convenience stores, and department stores, but is self-contained in a user's Smartphone. If someone is walking on a college campus or leaving a restaurant or bar at night and senses danger, they simply start the app, hold their phones up (to gather evidence) and press a PANIC button. Within seconds, email and SMS text messages go out, alerting friends, family, and security personnel of an emergency or crime in progress.

JTrek® is perfect for college students, family members, night-shift workers, or anyone traveling alone. Just activate it with a simple key-press and walk safely.

"Yesterday I read a letter from ADT Security Services stating that burglar alarms make your home three times less likely to be burglarized. What they don't tell you is that according to FBI reports, most crimes occur outside the home, in the street," says James D. Richie, CEO of JTrek. "The word needs to get out on how new technology, like Smartphones, can cast a much broader safety net, not just locally but globally, where crimes are most likely encountered," adds Richie.

Different from most mobile apps, JTrek® was developed internally by a 15-year-old wireless test and measurement design company with products used world-wide by AT&T, Entel Chile, Telecom Italia, T-Mobile and several other telecom firms around the world. JTrek LLC, a subsidiary of X-TEL Communications, Inc., knows the ins and outs of wireless cellular networks, and that sets it apart from smaller Smartphone App developers. The JTrek® App is based on a deep understanding on how modern wireless digital networks operate from end to end.

JTrek® security comes standard with a secure Web account (www.jtrek.com) to store videos, photos, and a large list of emergency contacts. The account includes a diary feature for people being stalked or harassed, but who may not have sufficient evidence to take legal action.

For more information on JTrek® please visit www.jtrek.com. JTrek® encourages concerned citizens around the globe to join it in protecting communities with surveillance technology anyone can carry in their pockets.

About JTrek, LLC

JTrek, LLC is a subsidiary of X-TEL Communications, Inc. X-TEL is a global provider of engineering test systems and services for the wireless industry. X-TEL's products and services are used by some of the largest wireless companies globally to test and optimize their cellular networks.

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Gracenote Partners With Top Four Music Labels to Receive Pre-Release Song Data Tweet

Deals Will Speed Discovery of New Music for Consumers and Drive Commerce for Labels.

CANNES -- MidemNet 2010 -- Gracenote® announced it has deepened its relationships with the leading music labels, enabling the company to receive metadata and album art for many new song releases prior to official release date.

The arrangements with all four major labels – EMI Music, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group – as well as hundreds of top independent labels enable Gracenote to incorporate new music information and enriched content into its media database before many songs are released. Obtaining this information prior to release means Gracenote-powered services can offer consumers up-to-the minute information and recommendations for new music once it becomes publicly available. It also provides labels and music service providers with additional ways to drive sales and capitalize on the momentum from a song debut.

Gracenote's Global Media Database is the largest in the world, with more than 100 million tracks and eight million CDs from more than 200 countries and territories. Through these arrangements, Gracenote will receive cover art and new release data for the creation of audio fingerprints from music labels. Once this data is received, it is combined with the company's editorial content, such as genre and era, and linked to enriched content like lyrics. Finally, all of this information is loaded into Gracenote's database and is utilized by the company's identification and recommendation products, MusicID® and Discover™.

Now any consumer using an iPhone, Sony Ericsson phone with TrackID or more than 30 AT&T handsets with MusicID 2 can identify new songs the first time they are played - whether it's in their car listening to the radio, out at a dance club, or simply hanging out at home. This allows music fans to instantly search for related artist information, get recommendations and playlists for related music they might like, or link to a digital store to instantly purchase the new album or tracks.

"Universal Music is committed to providing music fans with even more compelling interactive opportunities to discover new music and connect with their favorite artists," stated David Ring, Executive Vice President of Business Development & Business Strategy for UMG's eLabs. "And through Gracenote, we'll be even better positioned to extend these discovery opportunities across a wide array of available wireless devices."

With today's announcement, Gracenote now has pre-release access to tens of thousands of unique albums from major labels as well as independent distributors such as DiscMakers, INgrooves, IODA, IRIS, and The Orchard. "Gracenote's Content Partner Program empowers and enhances the music discovery process, allowing music fans to experience and buy music quickly and easily," said Kevin Arnold, Founder and CEO of IODA. "This translates directly into increased visibility and sales for our artists."

About Gracenote

A pioneer in the digital media industry, Gracenote combines information, technology, services and applications to create ingenious entertainment solutions for the global market. From media management, enrichment and discovery products to content identification technologies, Gracenote allows providers of digital media products and the content community to make their offerings more powerful and intuitive, enabling superior consumer experiences. The company's solutions integrate the broadest, deepest, and highest quality global metadata and enriched content with an infrastructure that services billions of searches a month from thousands of products used by hundreds of millions consumers. Gracenote's customers include the biggest names in the consumer electronics, mobile, automotive, software and Internet industries. The company's partners in the entertainment community include major music publishers and labels, prominent independents and movie studios. Gracenote, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, is headquartered in Emeryville, California. www.gracenote.com.

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Nokia's OVI Maps for free? Not. Tweet

Mobile-review have posted an article about Nokia OVI maps. Here are the final paragraphs from the article.

All in all, this announcement delivers a crushing blow to the makers of traditional navigators - TomTom's shares, for example, lost 15 percent in price right after the press-conference of the Finnish manufacturer. And this is probably the best indication that the market has already clued in on the fact that the rules have changed. But will OVI Maps become their major selling point? I think it'll be more of a welcome addition, as navigation is not the service many crave for these days. It will start to matter more down the road, though, make no mistake about that. For now Nokia has secured its position in Europe and gave Google a run their money. We'll see how they'll respond.

A couple of Euros on top of every S60 smartphone's price tag isn't that much, but as competition gets tougher even a couple of cents can make all the difference. Will Nokia's plan work out and the buyers of top-of-the-line solutions will see free navigation as the determining factor? In some regions - definitely. But we'll see whether it can really be a sales booster in the near future. The only thing I have left to say is that it's still unclear whether they'll offer free navigation for S40 too - the decision is yet to be made.

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HTC Smart - their first "dumb" phone Tweet

Mobile-review have posted an article about the new HTC Smart. Here are the final paragraphs from the article.

HTC have entered the feature phone market as a smartphone manufacturer, hence the codename "Smart" and its design that looks very similar to their real smartphones. And to be honest, it does look pretty. Spec-wise, the Smart is nothing out of the ordinary - 300 Mhz CPU, no 3D accelerator onboard, not much RAM. So there is no chance geeks will fall for it. However all menus are blazing fast, which is what really matters to the ordinary consumer. He'll also be happy to see a 2.8-inch resistive display with both a standard keypad and QWERTY keybpard (in the landscape mode). Interestingly enough, it'll sport only 240x320 resolution, which isn't much by today's standard, but will do just fine in its target price bracket. Plus there will be a 3 MP camera, a microSD memory card slot, a mobile Twitter widget and a 1100 mAh battery.

The HTC Smart is set to hit the shelves in May at the price point of 200 Euro, which will put it right up against Samsung's and LG's phones, even Nokia will have to take this bold newcomer into consideration too. Their first efforts in this field won't change the landscape of the feature phone market, but as far as HTC are concerned, they have made themselves secure against the decline of Windows Mobile - now they've got a great pillow to fall on, should anything happen. A right step in the right direction that jeopardizes Nokia's strategy even more, since now they'll have an even tougher time explaining why an S60-based smartphone is better than a feature phone to their mid-range audience.

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HTC HD2 Extended Battery Tweet

Overview of HTC HD2 Extended Battery:

It is always good to have a big battery in a smartphone, so that you can work for longer without having to charge the phone.
However larger batteries often mean a larger overall size, which isn't for everyone.

However, sometimes the need, outweighs the shape, aesthetics and weight of the product. So if this is the case for you and you own a HTC HD2, this extended battery will be ideal.

An official extended battery for the HTC HD2, the battery comes complete with a replacement back cover (it does make the machine physically thicker).

As an added bonus the cover has a kickstand that allows the device to be stood in portrait or landscape mode.

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Wildcharger Charging Pad Bundle with 8 connectors (inc. iPhone) Tweet

Description:
The WildCharger Charging Pad is around the size of a mouse mat and is made from conductive metal strips. Placing any WildCharger enabled device on this metal surface automatically activates the charger and begins recharging the battery. A universal PowerDisc offers eight adaptors which covers the majority of handhelds, including iPhone, Nokia, BlackBerry, HTC and Palm.

Recharging need not mean a tangle of wires and plugs anymore, just one sleek and stylish gadget.

More Info
Key Features

*
Wire-free battery charging for your mobile devices.
*
Charges up to 5 devices simultaneously.
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Quick, convenient and tangle free charging.
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No overhead on charge times.
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Universal Powerdisc with 8 different adaptors (available separately).
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Automatically activates on contact with device.
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Sleep mode saves energy when not in use.

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Sony Ericsson luxury Walkman ripoff Tweet

Today, this is such a mini-Peng V168 is a sophisticated slider phone. To look at its compact body, only 79 * 36 * 17mm. Navigation key is made by a small inlaid diamonds, very bright fine. The middle of a blue navigation keys of small stones, brilliant. Feel good slider. With FM radio, multimedia and more extraordinary sound. Like small mobile phones to find friends, but right at home 啦!

Du Peng V168 multimedia entertainment functions
MTK Operating System Platform
Mainstream features, FM radio
Built-in Game 1 common game
Music player supports MP3 format, supports background playback
Video playback 3GP, MP4, AVI full-screen playback, support fast forward / pause
Support TXT format e-books
Radio FM radio support, putting-need headphones
Camera pixel high-definition camera
Photo description support for audio video capture, recording time, according to the size of the memory card
Du Peng V168 data applications
506KB RAM memory, the largest body can support 4G TF card expansion
Extended support for Bluetooth file transfer, Bluetooth headset (voice), Bluetooth music (stereo)
Data transfer U disk / data cable direct read, Bluetooth File Transfer, Bluetooth voice, Bluetooth stereo
Picture format jpg, gif
The basic functions of Dupont V168
Optional language Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English
Section 500 card body contacts phone book, support for caller groups, ring tones, caller picture
SMS / MMS 30 SMS, support MMS
Switch machine can be set to Automatic Switcher
5 groups alarm clock, can be customized Monday to Sunday alarm, Snooze time can be set
Ringtone format mp3, midi
Speaker independent speaker
Other features MP3 function, MP4 functions, speakerphone, Short Message, recording function, WAP function, Bluetooth, GPRS download, MMS MMS, memory expansion, e-book, IP call, calendar, to-do, alarm clock, calculator , exchange rate, stopwatch, world time
Du Peng V168 Appearance / Screen
Product Outline slide
Size 79 * 36 * 17mm
Weight 85g
Available colors silver, brown
Screen Material / type of color screen
Number 26 million color screen color
Resolution of 176 × 220px
1.6-inch screen size
Package weight 0.65
Du Peng V168 basic parameters of
Time to market 2010.01.23
Other types of cell phone type
Applicable to individual mobile phone crowd
Standard configuration of the two power (800mAh) a charge / data cable / headset
Applicable frequency 900/1800MHz
Network standard GSM
150-180 minutes talk time
120-160 hours standby time
7 days replacement warranty limited warranty / guarantee for six months

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HTC Diamond 2 clone Tweet

Cottage 256ROM +256 RAM memory, the first use of mobile phones, diamond grand opening of the T5353 + +! Not only that, the diamond T5353 + + is also equipped with a side of 3.2 inches high definition touch screen, 800x400px WVGA-level, so a perfect display and drill two enough to match the same plane. Its different from the general public MARVELL PXA310 processor, the frequency of up to 624MHZ, but also we give them a place in line. Pairs of 256MB of memory diamond T5353 + + at the same time setting a cottage intelligent machines to set an unprecedented dual cameras, pre-300,000-pixel camera has finally followed by the mainstream can video chat, and rear of the 3.2 million-pixel camera can not be in our small looked down upon. GPS navigation, and WIFI and EDGE Internet access in the diamond T5353 + + who naturally did not fall, so perfect a strong machine, can not help exciting!

Basic parameters of the diamond T5353 + +
Time to market 2010.01.23
Standard configuration of the two power (1600 mA) / charger / headset / data cable
Applicable frequency 850/900/1800/1900MHz
Network standard GSM, EDGE
240-360 minutes talk time
150-240 hours standby time
Warranty replacement warranty for one year / seven days limited warranty
Optional Color Black
Optional Language Simplified Chinese
Diamond T5353 + + Appearance / Screen
Product appearance handwriting
Size 107.85 × 53.1 × 13.7mm
Weight 117.5 grams
Screen resolution 800 * 480px
Screen size 3.2 inches high definition touch screen, 800x400px WVGA-level
Diamond T5353 + + software and hardware parameters
Operating System Windows Mobile 6.5
CPU Marvell PXA310 624MHz + NXP 5209 processor
ROM / RAM memory 256M/256M
WIFI Internet EDGE / wifi high-speed Internet access
GPS Navigation Built-in Srif star III navigation chip (third generation)
Memory expansion supporting up to 16G TF card expansion
3.2 million pixel camera pixels
Photo description dual cameras, of which up to 30 pre-camera megapixel, rear camera has reached 3.2 million pixels, support for unlimited audio recording.
Features pairs of 256MB of memory, 3.2 inches WVGA-level high-definition screen, dual cameras
Data Transfer wifi / USB / Bluetooth, require third-party software can realize U disc function. Activsync phone synchronization.

CPU: Marvell Pxa310 624MHz
Memory: 256ROM +256 RAM
Operating System: windows mobile 6.5
WIFI / EDGE high-speed Internet access
Built-in Srif star III navigation chip (third generation)

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Ferrari slide mobile phone ripoff Tweet

People are more sports car has a Ferrari, but Ferrari sports car has very few cell phones. What's more, 100 hearing F8 + or a hand-polished titanium carefully built noble elegance, durability of a Ferrari sports slider phone. Imagine that you come up with this phone, or play with other people envious of the attention given to friends that she looked excited Bar ~ ~ ~ The dual sim dual standby, FM FM radio blend these ingredients, so that hearing F8 +, like its 100 sports car which has a strong power and excellent performance, reliable quality.

100 News F8 + multimedia entertainment functions
MTK Operating System Platform
Mainstream features dual sim dual standby, FM FM radio
Built-in Game 1 general support for mobile QQ games
Music player supports MP3 background play, support equalizer, support for Bluetooth stereo output, Bluetooth Headset
Video playback 3GP, MP4, AVI
TXT format e-books can be downloaded a large number of e-book reader
Radio FM radio, putting-need headphones can be recorded from time to time
Camera pixel high-definition camera
Photo description supports AVI audio video image, the time based on memory size of the
100 News F8 + data applications
Memory can support 4G TF card expansion
Extended support for Bluetooth file transfer, Bluetooth headset (voice), Bluetooth music (stereo)
Direct Connect Data Transfer Data Cable, card reader, Bluetooth file transfer, Bluetooth headset (voice), Bluetooth music (stereo)
Picture format jpg, gif
100 News F8 + basic functions of
Optional language Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English
Fuselage Section 500 telephone contacts, support caller groups, ring tones, caller picture, caller video
SMS / MMS 50 SMS, support MMS
Switch machine support for timer switch machine, can be customized switch machine animation
5 groups alarm clock, customizable alarm Sunday to Monday, you can set Snooze time
Ringtone format mp3, mp4
One speaker earpiece speaker
Other features MP3 function, MP4 functions, speakerphone, Short Message, recording function, WAP function, radio, Bluetooth, GPRS download, MMS MMS, memory expansion, e-books, dual sim dual standby dual bluetooth, IP call, calendar, to-do, alarm clock, Custom ring tones, calculator, exchange rate, stopwatch, world time, mobile QQ
100 News F8 + Appearance / Screen
Product Outline slide
Size of 110 × 45 × 15mm
Weight 118G
Available colors dark gray + dark reddish brown
Screen Material / type of color screen
Number 26 million color screen color
Resolution of 176 × 220px
Screen size 2.0 inches
Package weight 0.65
100 News F8 + basic parameters of
Time to market, 2010-01-23
Mobile Commerce for the crowd
Standard configuration of the two power (1300mAh) a charge / headset / data line / 1GB memory card
Applicable frequency 900/1800MHz
Network standard GSM
Talk Time 200-260 minutes
180-220 hours standby time
7 days replacement warranty limited warranty / guarantee for six months

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New Nokia E71 clone Tweet

Full QWERTY keyboard cell phone users has been well received abroad, welcomed by the major brand mobile phone manufacturers have launched its full-keyboard phones, cottage manufacturers are, of course to be outdone, this is not a full-keyboard phones again came before us, this Feiyang NCKLAE71 In addition to QWERTY full keyboard set up outside, or a support network standard GSM and CDMA dual-mode handsets. Built-in Java Development, along with practical mobile QQ and MSN software so that we immediately contact the family and friends, while a standard 3.5mm headphone port as well as the pure sound quality, but also gives us an extraordinary music experience ~ ~ ~

NCKLAE71 multimedia entertainment functions
MTK Operating System Platform
Mainstream features, FM radio, dual-mode mobile phone
Built-in Game 1 common games, support Java2.0 expansion can be unlimited download, install a variety of Java games
Music player supports MP3 background play, pure sound quality, support equalizer, support for Bluetooth stereo output, Bluetooth Headset
Video playback support 3GP, MP4, AVI format video playback
E-books txt
Radio FM FM stereo, putting-no headphones
Camera pixel high-definition camera
Photo description support audio video image, the time based on memory size of the
NCKLAE71 data applications
Memory fuselage memory 1243K, support 4G TF card expansion
Expanded support for Java, Bluetooth file transfer, Bluetooth headset (voice), Bluetooth music (stereo)
Direct Connect Data Transfer Data Cable, card reader, Bluetooth file transfer, Bluetooth headset (voice), Bluetooth music (stereo)
Picture format jpg, gif, bmp
Java extended support Java2.0 Development
NCKLAE71 basic functions
Optional language Simplified Chinese, English
Body Book 1000 card telephone this group, support group calls, call ring tones, caller picture
SMS / MMS 100 SMS, support MMS
Switch machine support for timer switch machine, can be customized switch machine animation
5 groups alarm clock, customizable alarm Sunday to Monday, you can set Snooze time
Ringtone format mp3, midi
Speaker independent speaker
Other features MP3 function, MP4 functions, speakerphone, Short Message, recording function, WAP function, radio, Bluetooth, GPRS download, MMS MMS, memory expansion, e-books, calendars, to-do, alarm clock, calculator , exchange rate, stopwatch, world time, mobile QQ, MSN
NCKLAE71 Appearance / Screen
Product appearance straight
Dimensions 118 × 60.5 × 13mm
Weight 126g
Optional color brown
Screen Material / type of color screen
Number 26 million color screen color
Resolution of 240 × 320px
2.4-inch screen size
Package weight 0.65
NCKLAE71 basic parameters
Time to market, 2010-01-23
Other types of cell phone type
Mobile Commerce for the crowd
Standard configuration of the two power (1500mAh) a charge / headset / data cable
Applicable frequency 900/1800MHz
Network standard GSM
Talk Time 160-200 minutes
140-180 hours standby time
7 days replacement warranty limited warranty / guarantee for six months

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Nokia PUSH N900 example hacks Tweet

A video of example hacks created to launch the Nokia PUSH N900 competition (http://blogs.nokia.com/pushn900/) which is looking for people to submit ideas which hack or mod the N900 to create something new. These hacks were created around an 80s theme. Submit your ideas at URL by October 11 at http://blogs.nokia.com/pushn900/

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XGames SnoCross iPhone Game Trailer Tweet

Check out the latest racing action from 2XL Games.

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Nexus One Applications Tweet

This is a tour of the built in apps on the Google Nexus One

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vMenu 1.51 is out! aka Voyager Menu Tweet

Navigation menu, is to make the process smooth flowing together, press function key about the whole page after slidingProgramThe list. Page directly display 15 programsIconMore than 12 icons and efficient system of 25%. To abandon outdated difficult to useFileFolder instead of the same like the iPhone slide page mode, dragging a finger, and then click on, is that simple!

Navigation menu completely free and is widely acclaimed s60v3 "Navigation Desktop" in the same series of software. Main features are
1. Using inertial sliding menu menu instead of the system comes with a finger drag directly in the function table next page, do not be hard pressed to point scroll bar
2. 3 * 5 per released a total of 15 icons and efficient. Long press the icon directly into edit mode
3. Integrates a task manager
4. Long pressScreenEnter the edit mode, you can place the software icon on the free movement (which can move across pages)

Version 1.51 updates:
1. The top menu to increase the status bar (vertical screen mode), cell phone signals, electricity,Bluetooth,Time, Date and other information at a glance
2. To support the navigation menu as a shortcut directly into the phone's desktop, click to enter without having to press function keys (requires access to the systemSet- Personal Model - the main screen - a shortcut on their own settings)
3. In the navigation menu, long press to enter edit mode, support forRemoveAnd add program icons. Click directly to delete, press the upper right corner "Add" increase the icon.
4. In the second page of the menu, an increase of "Bluetooth" icon, the use of more convenient
5. Very sorry that you upgrade from the old version of the edition, the previous location of the icon will be lost. We would try to avoid similar incidents.
6. Optimize the horizontal screen mode, the icon layout
7.SolutionDrag the icon across the last version of the page, the error about the page upside down
8. ReceiptSMSWhenAutomaticSnap-back system, the desktop

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Vivaz - Desktop view and phone functionality Tweet

Daniel Sandblom - Global Marketing Manager for Sony Ericsson Vivaz shows general phone functionality and what the desptop-view looks like in Vivaz.

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Verizon Wireless Expands 3G Network Coverage In Madison County, New York Tweet

•Improves coverage and capacity in Hamilton
•Provides access to 3G wireless broadband service
•Part of $100+ million network investment in Upstate New York in 2009
•Meet one of Upstate New York’s local Test Men, Jack Brandes

SYRACUSE, NY — Verizon Wireless is investing in Madison County and expanding its local coverage with a new cell site in Hamilton. The new site improves coverage and capacity in Poolville, Hamilton Center and Brooks Corner, including portions of Route 12, Borden Road and County Routes 70, 88, 89, 90 and 95 between Sherburne and Hubbardsville.

This network expansion is part of the company’s aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless’ voice and data services. The company has invested more than $50 billion nationwide since it was formed – $5.5 billion on average every year – and invested more than $100 million in Upstate New York in 2009.

“We’ve always believed even the most advanced device is only as good as the network it runs on. We continue to aggressively invest in our Upstate New York network to increase coverage and capacity for our customers, add new services, and maintain our 3G network leadership,” said Gene Fassett, executive director of Network for Verizon Wireless’ Upstate New York Region.

Services include wireless data services such as picture messaging, text messaging, V CAST and V CAST Music with Rhapsody, and Mobile Broadband, the company’s high-speed wireless broadband network geared toward mobile professionals and business customers. It provides average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits per second, and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps.

Strong demand for Verizon Wireless’ services continued during the third quarter of 2009 as the company added 1.2 million net new customers.

The company’s “nation’s most reliable wireless voice and 3G data network” reputation is based on network studies performed by real-life test men and women throughout the country. These engineers drive nearly 100 specially equipped vehicles more than 1 million miles annually on Interstate, U.S. and state highways, as well as major roads and surface streets. Test vehicles are equipped with computers that automatically make more than 3 million voice call attempts and more than 16 million data tests annually on Verizon Wireless’ network and the networks of other carriers.

For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

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Motorola Files Complaint with International Trade Commission Against Research In Motion Tweet

SCHAUMBURG, Ill – Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) announced that it has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) alleging that Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ: RIMM) (RIM) has engaged in unfair trade practices by the importation and sale of RIM products that infringe on five of Motorola’s patents.

The five patents listed in Motorola’s complaint relate to certain early-stage innovations developed by Motorola in key technology areas, such as Wi-Fi access, application management, user interface and power management, that are now being used by RIM. These patented technologies are important to Motorola as they allow for more comprehensive connectivity, a better user experience and lower product costs.

Motorola has requested that the ITC commence an investigation into RIM’s use of Motorola’s patents and, among other things, issue an Exclusion Order barring RIM’s importation of infringing products; prohibiting further sales of infringing products that have already been imported; and halting the marketing, advertising, demonstration and warehousing of inventory for distribution and use of such imported products in the United States.

Jonathan Meyer, senior vice president of intellectual property law at Motorola, said, “Through its early-stage development of the cellular industry and billions of dollars spent on research and development, Motorola has created an industry-leading intellectual property portfolio that is respected by the entire telecommunications industry. In light of RIM’s continued unlicensed use of Motorola’s patents, RIM’s use of delay tactics in our current patent litigation, and RIM’s refusal to design out Motorola’s proprietary technology, Motorola had no choice but to file a complaint with the ITC to halt RIM’s continued infringement. Motorola will continue to take all necessary steps to protect its R&D and intellectual property, which are critical to the Company’s business.”

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The myth of the Sony 'kill switch' Tweet

In Japan, a surprising number of consumers really do claim to believe that Sony products are programmed to break as soon as the warranty expires.

For nearly 20 years Sony in Japan has been plagued by the myth of the "Sony Timer" – but is there really a kill-switch that destroys your device just after its warranty runs out? Many Japanese genuinely believe that there is.

It was the recall of more than 4.1 million Dell laptops containing faulty Sony batteries in 2006 that jump-started a rumour that has been around for decades. From 1980 to 2006 geeks and tech-obsessed Japanese had joked about the existence of the timer, creating sarcastic manga and venting anger through online forums. But the Dell recall launched the urban legend into the public eye and angry Sony sufferers jumped at the chance to denounce the company.

The mass spontaneous combustion of those batteries damaged Sony’s reputation in Japan enormously. For a nation proud of their technological innovations, burning laptops and the biggest product recall in history were not exactly easy to deal with. Since then rumours have continued to fly across the internet about the existence of the timers. Sony itself is well aware of the urban legend – its current Vice Chairman Ryoji Chubachi mentioned it in public back in 2007.

But a Sony executive in 2006 had already stirred rumours when he mentioned the timers in a talk at a major technology event. He insisted that it was totally absurd and explained that the company was making every effort to dispel the myth.

Their campaign clearly isn’t going that well: the phrase has now become so common that Sony products are often avoided in Japan due to a genuine belief that they just don't last. The Playstation 3 still remains highly popular as it is allegedly exempt from the timers’ curse, but VAIO laptops, particularly among younger Japanese, are purchased with some hesitation.

Many people believe Sony products last just long enough for the company to bring out a replacement generation. Rumours have even emerged recently that the timers are controlled remotely by the company and set off just when a new laptop is due out. Google searches in Japan add fuel to this fire with VAIO laptop breakages increasing around a year after their release. In fact a google search on the subject will return more than half a million Japanese related hits.

Of course, the "Sony Timer" has never been proved and there’s no evidence that it’s anything other than a Japanese urban legend. But things got pretty interesting when it was revealed that a bug in selected E-Series Bravia TVs meant they’d only last 1,200 hours, before refusing to power on or off. This conveniently adds up to about 3 hours watching per day for one year, the exact period of the television’s warranty. Sony issued a software patch to fix the problem.

Of course, the company is extremely keen to keep this rumour out of Europe, an area where its products’ reputation is still justifiably very good. But the legend is spreading across the internet, with Western tech forums being slowly flooded with horror stories of products breaking soon after warranties expire.

Even so, you probably don’t need to rush out to renew your VAIO's warranty.

Goodies for the 3D obsessed

3D Televisions were the hot topic of CES 2010, with the majority of lcd-tv producers announcing 3d additions to their screen line-up.

Even if you do decide to invest in one of these likely to be ridiculously expensive sets, the amount of actual 3D content available to you is going to be limited. The Playstation 3 is soon to gain support for the technology along with a few television channels, but in reality the 3D concept still remains in its infancy.

Even so, Panasonic has launched the DMP-BDT350, one of four 3D bluray players shown at CES - the technology behind its 3D capabilities is being kept quiet, but some extremely complex encoding will have to be applied to 3D blu-rays. That’s likely to demand more power from the player.

If that wasn't enough LG has gone one better, producing the first ever 3D projector: the CF3D. The device features two separate projection engines working together to create the image. Unlike the Pnasonic model, however, viewers will still need geeky glasses.

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This week in search 1/22/10 Tweet

This is part of a regular series of posts on search experience updates that runs on Fridays. Look for the label This week in search and subscribe to the series. - Ed.

The Google that you used today is actually better than the Google that you used yesterday. On a daily basis, we make a number of algorithmic enhancements and release other search features that ultimately make finding what you're looking for quick, easy and enjoyable. Here are a few of the exciting feature releases this week:

Hours and menu information in universal search
Want to know when your favorite museum is open? Interested in ordering in and need to quickly check the menu for that restaurant around the corner? This week we were excited to launch hours and menu information in local results for universal Google search. Now you can add the words "hours" or "menu" to your search to get back the information you want in a snap.

Example searches: [computer history museum mountain view hours], [sushi sakae burlingame menu]

Rich Snippets for events
What are Rich Snippets? They show brief annotations that webmasters make to summarize what's on the page so you can see it at a glance on your search results page. So far we've launched improved snippets for two formats: reviews and people. Today, we unveiled a new Rich Snippets format for events. The next time you're searching for events, you'll see how the new format lists them as search result snippets, along with dates, locations and links directly to pages about those specific events. And, as webmasters implement the new markup on their webpages, you'll begin to see these event results more frequently.

Example search: [concerts in san jose]

Answer highlighting
Earlier today, we were excited to release the answer highlighting feature, which helps you get to information more quickly by delivering the likely answer to your question in boldface type right in search results. If the pages returned for these searches contain a simple answer to a factual-based search, the snippet will more often include the relevant text in boldface for easy reference. Read more about answer highlighting here.

Example searches: [who is the author of 1984], [p.s. i love you release date], [terminator salvation director]

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