Friday, February 27, 2009

Sony’s Mylo Personal Communicator becomes Mylo Internet Device

[source: www.intomobile.com ]

Sony Mylo Internet Device

Sony is re-branding its Mylo Personal Communicator into Mylo Internet Device. We're talking about the Mylo 2, as the original Mylo is not interesting to anyone any more.

Don't get me wrong, I've nothing against the Sony Mylo 2. The only problem it has is that now the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet is available for the same amount of money - $299. Bringing the price down would certainly help Sony more than simply renaming the device. Whether is "Personal Communicator" or "Internet Device" is not that important. It's the features that count…

[Via: Gizmodo]

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O2 continuing England Rugby sponsorship

Posted: 16 Aug 2008 05:48 AM CDT

o3.pngO2 has announced that it is continuing it's sponsorship of the England Ruby team for another four years - this will mean it will run beyond the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. The deal is worth about £4 million per season, and run to 31st August 2012.

O2 is promising it's customers more player access, and more unique mobile content also - as an O2 customer myself, I can't wait! Come on England!!

[Via: Mobile Choice UK]

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Carphone Warehouse stands alone in wanting to market Mobiles to kids

Posted: 16 Aug 2008 05:43 AM CDT

Carphone Warehouse stands alone in wanting to market Mobiles to kidsCarphone Warehouse Chief Exec Andrew Harrison recently called for sensible marketing of mobile phones to kids, according to Mobile News. Unfortuntely, it doesn't appear he has much backing, as Child safety organisations wouldn't back him, and the industry at large didn't have anything to say in support either.

Harrison said last month the industry should take a "responsible attitude" towards the increasing number of children using mobile phones by marketing targeted products to them in a sensible manner.

The input from the Childrens' Charities was that a more ethical approach would be to market to the parents, not the children. Also the charities pointed out that the safeguards for services usage needed to flow through the parents to they could control what the children are seeing.

Interestingly, handset manufacturers didn't support the idea of marketing to children either - despite the fact they potentially have a good amount of sales to gain:

Sony Ericsson marketing director Dave Hilton said: "We do not target children and do not promote phones to under 16s. We recognise teenagers use phones, but we have adopted the ethical policy not to target them. If it is found that there is an increasing market appetite and we believe there are no ethical implications at that time then we would consider targeting under 16s."

And finally, even the (other) retail channels don't appear to be in agreement with Carphone:

A Phones 4U spokesperson said: "Whilst it is clear the use of mobile phones by children is on the increase, we must remember that child safety is paramount. We understand there is a need in society today for more stringent controls regarding how mobiles are used by children, and the content they are able to access. However, Phones 4U's core target market are 16-24 year-olds, and so all of its marketing efforts are focused on reaching those over the age of 16."

Apart from the input from SE and Phones4U, other companies in the Mobile ecosystem largely refused to comment. Personally, I'm not surprised, given the sensitiviy of the issue. Where children are concerned, there need to exist extra levels of protection to make sure that Mobile devices don't become a targeted channel for all the less than savoury elements out there, in whatever forms they may come.

[Via: mobilenewscwp.co.uk]

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O2 introduces new upgrade checks

Posted: 16 Aug 2008 05:31 AM CDT

O2 introduces upgrade checksO2UK has issued a new set of criteria for channels partners, regarding the upgrade of customers. Dealers must now check details against a database of O2 subs, to verify the "ownership" of the customers, and also to gain approval. The point of the checks are to see how the customer was acquired before they can be resigned to a contract - they should be resigned via the existing channels, and be subjected to a ton of calls from other sources.

However, some sources claim customer "ownership" is unclear, particularly if customers have signed/re-signed with different O2 channels over the years, or added additional services via different parties. They are also concerned that this could be a move that allows poaching from O2's direct team.

Adding process for the sake of it is never a good thing, but my take on this is that it's a good move by O2 to bring some consistency to how customers are handled during upgrade - and that IS a good thing.

[Via: mobilenewscwp.co.uk]

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RSPCA releases free Mobile game for animal welfare

Posted: 16 Aug 2008 05:14 AM CDT

RSPCA releases free Mobile game for animal welfareThe RSCPA (an Animal welfare charity) has launched it's own mobile game called MobiDog, developed by UK company Lateral. This game is following on from a web-based cyberpet concept, also launched by Lateral.

However, MobiDog isn't a virtual pet game, it's a collection of dog-themed mini-games, which are a spin on arcade classics. The overriding message though is about better care for dogs. The game is free, which you can get by going to the website, or by texting game to 60022.

[Via: Pocketgamer.co.uk]

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Treo Pro caught in the wild; Plus, we have more details!

Posted: 16 Aug 2008 04:48 AM CDT

Treo Pro

Just when we posted that Palm is working on the Treo 850 / Treo Pro, we have first images of the device caught in the wild as well as more details.

Let's do the details (specs) first. Here's what we know:

  • 400Mhz CPU
  • 256MB ROM, 128MB RAM ― i.e. enough for performing multiple demanding tasks at once
  • Tri-band 3G, quad-band GSM/GPRS
  • 320×320 pixels touchscreen
  • built-in GPS
  • 2 megapixel camera (why not more?)
  • microUSB connector
  • 3.5mm audio jack
  • 1500 mAh battery (wow, that should provide tons of juice)
  • there's a WiFi switch on the side (ultra cool!)
  • Preinstalled software includes Adobe Reader, Embertec Java, Telenav and Sprite Backup.
  • microSD slot supports cards of up to 32GB

Palm may finally have the real deal with the Treo Pro and I can't wait to try it out. More photos of the device are available on WMExperts.

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Lenovo P960 has fingerprint biometrics security and that's about it

Posted: 16 Aug 2008 04:30 AM CDT

Lenovo P960

Lenovo has recently launched a new mobile phone - P960. Specs wise, there's nothing special about the device ― it has a dual-band GSM/GPRS radio on board, 1.3 megapixel camera, 2.8-inch touchscreen, and a microSD memory expansion slot. However, what sets the P960 apart is the presence of fingerprint biometrics security powered by Atrua Technologies.

The technology mentioned is used to protect sensitive data such as VIP recordings, text messages, call history, and address book information. What I don't understand, though, is why Lenovo haven't built inside a 3G or WiFi radio. The thinking is that you want to protect data, but what kind of data you want to access over a GPRS connection? Pure text, I guess.

Anyway, we're not sure where you can grab the P960 nor how much it costs. As I just said, the lack of 3G and WiFi are real dealbreakers for me. Hopefully, we'll see Lenovo releasing an updated version of the device in the near future that will work much faster with the data…

[Via: slashphone]

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HSBC to order 200,000 iPhones for its staff?

Posted: 16 Aug 2008 04:19 AM CDT

BlackBerry vs iPhone

iPhone is now ready for business use and some companies may consider shunning BlackBerrys and other smartphones in favor of Apple's baby. That could help getting some media coverage while boosting retention at the same time. After all, iPhone does sound more like fun (as opposed to "work") than any other smartphone out there.

Still, I was kinda surprised to read HSBC is thinking about getting 200,000 iPhone for its workforce. At the moment, one of Europe's largest banks buys BlackBerrys for their staff and switching to the iPhone would be a big win for Apple.

Nothing is confirmed at this stage, but Apple sort of, kind of already won! After reading this article, I'm sure other banks and corporations will think again about Apple's proposition. I'm sure about one thing - staff will love the idea…

[Via: Unwired View, CNet]

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EA Mobile acquires rights to "Deal or no Deal"

Posted: 16 Aug 2008 03:20 AM CDT

EA Mobile acquires rights to

EA Mobile have just acquired the rights to the popular moneyed-quiz game "Deal or No Deal". They snapped up the rights from Endemol, who we all know as the creator of Big Brother. Interestingly, Gameloft had previously owned the Mobile rights, where the game had become a top-seller. So this is a major coup for the EA execs involved!

I am not sure whether the entire reader-base will be familiar with the concept of Deal or No Deal, but it is somewhat entertaining on the Tellybox - if you'd like to know more about the show, you can go here.

By the way, "Deal or No Deal" (the mobile game) will be out in November.

[Via: Pocketgamer.co.uk]

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Mobile Revenues in India to be $8.3bn by 2013!

Posted: 16 Aug 2008 03:06 AM CDT

Mobile Revenues in India to be $8.3bn by 2013!

According to Juniper Research, Mobile data revenues on the Indian subcontinent (which includes Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) should be up around the £8.3bn mark by 2013 - having been driven by pruchasing of music, browsing, and games. Apparently ringtones are currently the most lucrative service right now, but the usual suspect are all being pointed to as drivers to the substantial growth in to 2013.

Interestingly, 3G services are really not that common now, but the report indicates deployment to be a major catalyst for data usage - that, and that fact the user base will jump from 431 mn in 2008, to 740 mn in 2013. A final catalyst pointed at is the lack of fixed line broadband, again encourgaing wireless data consumption.

[Via: gamesondeck.com]

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EA Mobile and Handango do a distribution deal

Posted: 16 Aug 2008 02:58 AM CDT

eh.png

Handango has announced an agreement with EA to publish EA Mobile's games - these would be games such as Madden NFL 08, The Sims 2, The Sims Bowling, MONOPOLY Here & Now, TETRIS, Bejeweled. The games will be available through it's "InHand" on-device application.

The InHand client is by enlarge a Smartphone client stack, so those that are going to benefit will be WinMo, Blackberry, and Symbian owners - as EA are the goliath in the Mobile gaming area right now, we should see some good games coming through.

[Via: casualgamerchick.com]

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Samsung announces new SW to boost mobile phone memory

Posted: 16 Aug 2008 02:48 AM CDT

Samsung announces new SW to boost mobile phone memorySamsung has announced some new software that will boost the built-in memory on it's Smartphones. The memory in question is the embedded flash memory portion within devices (i.e. OneNAND, Flex-OneNAND and moviNAND).

Apparently the "boost" is that of performance - as we know, with any kind of request/retrieve operation to memory (be it solid-state or other), there is a lag time (albeit usually tiny) involved.

In effect, says Business Wire, those data movements within the memory, that are given instructions by the operating system, are speeded up. The new file system/flash driver combination, when working with any of the memory chips and the operating system, will boost performance through faster booting, downloading and searching.

So there you go! Will we notice it? Probably not explicitly, but anything that reduces those pauses that all devices occasionally have when processing user commands will be a good thing……

[Via: Mobile Choice UK / Businesswire]

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Use your iPhone as a wireless hard drive!

Posted: 16 Aug 2008 02:40 AM CDT

Use your iPhone as a wireless hard drive!

A new app from Veiosoft, called the DataCase, lets you use your iPhone as a wireless HD. You can then pull the info to any PC, Mac, or Linux-based computer when you need. The software works with both Bonjour and Finder, allowing rapid drag and drop functionality.

In addition, the DataCase app also has can view/read/play the info, meaning you can check out your video, audio, and docs (office and PDF) on the go! If that weren't enough, it's also a multilingual-capable app, supporting English, German, Chinese and Korean.

You can check the Veiosoft website here, and buy the app via iTunes

[Via: Mobile Choice UK]

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Sony Ericsson to launch Bravia-branded mobile phones in India

Posted: 15 Aug 2008 11:19 AM CDT

Sony Ericsson Bravia logo

With 62.5% market share Nokia is the dominant mobile phone maker in India. Sony Ericsson holds 13% of the market and to tackle the competition, the Swedish-Japanese handset maker plans to release the Bravia-branded mobile phones in the country.

Sony Ericsson already sells Walkman and Cyber-shot branded handsets world wide, while Bravia mobile phones are at the moment only available in Japan.

The phone maker expects India to contribute almost 25% of the global handset business over the next two years, and is willing to include other Sony's brands in the mix in order to succeed.

Also as a part of the "big India plan," the company is ramping up its manufacturing facility in the country to churn out almost 10 million handsets a year. Most of these will be low cost, entry-level devices, though.

Now we can only hope, once they're released in India, Sony Ericsson will also bring Bravia handsets to other parts of the world.

[Via: ndtv.com]

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Juniper Research: Mobile money transfer revenues to exceed $5 billion by 2013

Posted: 15 Aug 2008 11:13 AM CDT

A new Juniper Research's analysis, "Mobile Payment Markets: Money Transfers and Remittances 2008-2013," forecasts that Service Provider revenues, derived from mobile money transfer services and remittances, will exceed $5 billion globally by 2013 - based on the commissions and charges that they will acquire from the gross value of money transactions made.

Juniper ResearchAccording to the research company, there is a significant opportunity for the providers and vendors of mobile money transfer services as the market takes off, beginning as soon as 2010. In that sense, the study explores how mobile money transfer will transform the ability of the "underbanked" population and migrant workers to make remittances, using their mobile phones as mobile wallets.

Report author Howard Wilcox suggests that prospects for these services are excellent, both in developing and developed countries. "For many people it has been costly and difficult for them to transfer money via existing services even to friends and family: using mobile phones solves the problem," he added.

Highlights from the report:

  • Global annual gross transaction value (including the remittance itself) will grow over 10 times between 2009 and 2013.
  • The top 3 regions (Western Europe, Africa and Middle East, and Far East & China) will represent over 60% of the global mobile money transfer gross transaction value by 2013.

More information about Juniper Research's report is available from their website.

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