After the launch of the very first Google Android mobile phone, the T-Mobile G1 by HTC, Motorola was the next to announce that they were also in the process of developing their own handset to run on the same OS. That aside the next in line according to reports, is Asus who is planning to launch an Android-based handset sometime in the first half of next year.There are no specs or designs of the handset yet, but according to the same reports, the company plans to launch the first set of Android-based handsets exclusively in the Taiwanese market and then customize it for other areas.Read d rest...
Samsung Mobile today strengthened its multimedia phone portfolio by launching its ultimate mobile entertainer, the 8 megapixel camera phone, Samsung INNOV8, in the Indian market."Samsung Innov8 is made for users who want to enjoy the best possible multimedia entertainment with their mobile phone. With the 8-megapixel camera, pre-embedded 3D games, high speed data connections and much more, users can experience the true benefits of mobile entertainment", said Sunil Dutt, Country Head, Samsung Mobile.Recognized as Samsung's first ever 8-megapixel camera phone, Samsung Innov8 uses the latest in imaging applications such as smile shot, blink shot and face recognition. Users can enjoy personalizing and editing their photos, videos and music with Movie Maker and Story Board applications. The handset also acts as a digital photo frame, allowing users to display their favorite images on its 2.8 inch, 16M color LCD.
The 32GB memory (16GB Internal and 16GB MicroSD Card) provides sufficient content storage. It also supports a wide range of video player formats including DivX, WMV, Real Player and MPEG4 and the AV experience is enhanced with Samsung's DNSe 2.0 audio engine. The Innov8 is being launched preloaded with two Aamir Khan movies.The Samsung Innov8 is priced at Rs. 45,999.
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Spice Mobiles seem to be launching new handsets by the bushel. Their latest is what they are calling their next generation dual SIM handset, the Spice D-90. The new GSM/GSM handset offers simultaneous access of two different numbers, enabling users to keep their personal and professional lives separate.Spice offers the capability of two live SIMs working simultaneously with features like call hold and swap (providing real-time switching facility between both SIMs). The Dual-SIM helps to cut down on roaming bills without getting disconnected from their home-network. Of course this not necessarily new technology. Just ask the Chinese mobile makers.The Spice D-90 has a 2 MP camera which can double as a webcam. Other media features include an in-built MP3 player and FM radio with recording facility. This handset also features a special handset contact back-up application which allows seamless transfer of all the phone book contacts to the D-90 at one go.
The phone comes with a panic button (you’ll have to wait for the review to know what that’s all about), mobile tracker, 256MB memory card; is GPRS / WAP/ JAVA enabled, and comes pre-loaded with Opera Mini as a web browser.
The handset is priced at Rs. 7,799 (MRP).
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Nokia’s much awaited, fully loaded, dual slider, the N96, has been unveiled in India almost a month and a half before the UK launch that was set to be the first. Bravo - is what I have to say. This cross between the N81 with its glossy trims and the N95’s dual slide component makes for a great handset overall.I’ve mentioned the specs of this handset more times than is perhaps necessary but it does seem like quite an exciting handset. Take it from me, since I’ve been lucky enough to play around with a prototype. The N96 has a 2.8-inch TFT display with a 240 x 320 pixel resolution and 16 million colors. It runs on a Dual ARM 9 264 MHz CPU and comes with 128MB RAM, 256MB storage memory and a whopping 16GB of internal memory as well as microSD card support in case you feel that 16GB is just not enough. The handset also has an accelerometer for automatically rotating the display.For net connectivity the N96 is equipped with Wi-Fi, 3G support with HSDPA speeds, EDGE class 32, GPRS/WAP, Bluetooth with A2DP and microUSB v2.0 for data transfer. When it comes to multimedia the N96 should feel like a pro with a 5 MP auto-focus camera with Carl Zeiss optics. It’s also capable of video capture (VGA 30fps) and it comes with an LED flash which in my opinion is not a good thing since the N82 has a Xenon, but ok. Just around the camera’s lens is a kickstand that when opened allows the handset to be propped up for comfort of viewing. The N96 also has a secondary VGA videocall camera in front.
Thankfully the N96 comes equipped with a 3.5mm earphone socket that doubles as TV Out. It even has an FM radio with RDS and Visual Radio. It also has 3D stereo speakers and supports the N-Gage application for gaming. The handset comes with an inbuilt GPS module (Nokia Maps 2.0 pre-loaded) and also supports A-GPS. It also has a DVB-H TV broadcast receiver. Other features include a document reader and a built in handsfree but that’s nothing new.
The Nokia N96 comes pre-bundled with WaveSecure, an application that allows consumers to secure everything on the device wirelessly. One can save and create a back up of all data (contacts, SMS, call logs and calendar entries) through the Internet. Additionally, in the event that it is lost or stolen, WaveSecure helps remotely wipe out all data from the device to prevent misuse, lock the device remotely and even track any new SIM card inserted.
Speaking of pre-loaded features, Nokia has been gracious enough to the Indian audience by providing plenty of Bollywood freebies. The N96 will come preloaded with the movie ‘Om Shanti Om’, 50 music videos, music tracks in Hindi and English and 3 N-Gage games with an unlimited license on for the 3rd edition of Asphalt Urban. It will also have 3 country Nokia Maps that include Singapore, UAE and of course India and a 3 month Navigation license for 8 Indian cities.
The handset will hit stores at an estimated price of around Rs. 36,000 but there is no official word on the same. In case you’re wondering if this beats the iPhone due to launch in a couple of days, why don’t you be smart about it and wait till we’re done giving them a thorough once over.
The handset can be pre-booked by logging on to www.nokia.co.in/n96 and registering, though it'll be on shelves only in September. Just follow the instructions but know this - a booking amount of Rs. 4000 will need to be paid.
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Samsung has announced the launch of Soulb, “Spirit of Ultra” (Soul) in bar form factor. Along with containing all the merits of the original Soul handset, the Soulb is also fully covered in a metallic body, which is softly brushed with a hairline pattern. The Soulb is just 9.9mm thick and appears to have a very simplistic design form. It’s available in five colors - Soul Grey, Platinum Silver, Metallic Black, Soul Pink and Amethyst Violet.The Soulb comes equipped with an embedded 3-megapixel camera with Power LED, office document viewer and editor, full speed internet browser and Bluetooth v.2.0. Otherfeatures include a music player, video editor and recorder and an FM radio with RDS. The handset has 1GB of internal memory and also supports microSD cards for additional memory.
“Soulb is an important stepping stone for Samsung,” said Geesung Choi, President of Samsung’s Telecom Business. “Soulb proves the world that Samsung is not only a predominant leader in selective form factors, but that it continuously seeks after becoming the leader in all variety of form factors, including slider, clamshell and bar,” he continued.
Soulb will first be available in Germany early June. It will then continue to other countries and regions, including Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia (China), Southwest Asia, Southeast Asia, and South America.
There’s no pricing attached yet.
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Nokia is reportedly planning on doing a rather large bit for the environment by launching close to 40 biodegradable handsets by the end of the year. They’ve already started things off with their 3110 Evolve and designs for their Eco Sensor. While these handsets may have either left the drawing board or still be on it, one wonders how a mobile phone that needs metal parts or components could be made biodegradable.
According to sources, D. Shivakumar, VP and managing director, Nokia India, said that the company would be using biodegradable phone covers,recyclable battery designs that use less harmful toxic materials and energy efficient accessories for all their forthcoming phones and that they'd already eliminated the use of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) in all their phones.
Apparently in the US, Nokia includes envelopes in the sales packs that have a return address with postage paid, specifically for consumers to return used handsets etc. to the company for recycling. The company is planning on having special Green Bins in India located at priority centers to make things even more convenient for consumers to drop off their old handsets. Some of their other ‘Green’ attempts are to train their employees working in the distribution and priority centers to advice consumers on recycling issues.
What I’d like to understand is who would do something like that in our country. The strategy here of course is to exchange your old handset for a new one. It’s rather unlikely that a consumer would simply drop off an unused handset into a box with no remuneration for its worth.
But you have to hand it to Nokia for at least trying. The other manufacturers are also getting into the groove of keeping things as green as they can and all I have to say is it’s about time.
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