Sign of the Times
Sign of the Times

Sign of the Times

Vodafone Hung Up on Nokia for 3G

Vodafone has placed orders for millions of next generation mobile phones for its new 3G services with Japanese manufacturers, in a snub to Nokia, the world’s biggest mobile manufacturer. According to a senior Vodafone executive, Nokia did not yet have handheld devices with the functions he wanted. “Nokia is developing an elaborate system,” he said. “But they are behind the Japanese.” He would not name the Japanese recipients of the orders, claiming commercial sensitivity.

Panasonic Mobile JV for 3G in China

A mobile phone subsidiary of Japan’s home electronics giant Matsushita said it has set up a joint venture with a US firm in China to develop 3G mobile networks. Capitalized at 10 million dollars, Universal Communications Technology Co. Ltd., located in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, will also market the 3G networks in China.

High-Speed Networking: The Next Generation

Move over radio waves. Forget about infrared. And pull Bluetooth. There’s a new “wireless-like” communication system in development, with some of the most interesting recent work being done in Japan. Why have another standard you ask? Make no mistake about it. PDAs and mobile computers are here to stay. In fact, they are likely to evolve into an entirely new generation of so-called wearable computers.

Microsoft & Vodafone Partner on Standards

Microsoft chairman Bill Gates will today detail a partnership with mobile operator Vodafone to develop mobile web services standards. The standards are designed to allow PC developers to incorporate location and micro-payment functions into their applications. Through developing mobile web services standards the vendors expect developers to incorporate features of cell phone technology into PC applications.

Toshiba Announces Methanol Fuel Cell for Portable Devices

The world leader in bringing fuel-celltechnology to portable products, today announced a prototype of highly compact,direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) that opens the way to the use of DMFCas an alternative power source to recharge batteries for personal devicesas small as cell phones, digital still cameras, PDAs and mobile TVs. The new DMFC issmall enough to fit in a carry-on bag or even in a jeans pocket as aportable power source.

Camera Mobile Phones vs. Digital Cameras

Mobile phones with a built-in digital camera are enjoying more-than-expected popularity. The market already has five megapixel models, and a record number of units are selling. A survey conducted by Nikkei BP Consulting Inc found that many users expect camera mobile phones to have performances and capabilities as high as those of digital cameras.