Wireless News
Wireless News

Wireless News

Vodafone Releases 804SH Wallet-Phone

Vodafone K.K. announced today that it will commence sales of the Vodafone 804SH [ .jpg image ], a new 3G handset by Sharp, on 22 December 2005 in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions, and all other regions on 17 January 2006. The 804SH has a new contrasting design with the upper and under body of the handset featuring “different forms and material feel”. The 804SH also features ‘Custom Screens’ for menu screen icon and wallpaper customisation, allowing customers to express their individuality from the display screen. This is the carriers second Osaifu-Keitai (mobile wallet) handset with embedded IC-chip to support Vodafone live! FeliCa and their first 3G phone with the Motion Control Sensor that responds to movements.

Smallest VCXO for Mobile Handsets

Epson Toyocom Corp. announced that it will release a new series of voltage-controlled X’tal (crystal) oscillators (VCXO) that support mobile handsets capable of receiving terrestrial digital TV broadcasts. The VG-4231CE Series will be among the smallest-footprint crystal solutions in the industry yet will offer frequency control characteristics equivalent to their predecessors. This will allow them to meet the ongoing demand for miniaturization while also easily handling the complicated timing of high-quality image recording signals. Samples will begin shipping in February 2006.

Opera Releases Mini-Java Browser

Users of Java-capable cell phones anywhere may find browsing the Web easier and cheaper now that Opera Software ASA is allowing anyone to download its Opera Mini application. The official worldwide launch of Opera Mini is planned for January but Opera has quietly lifted restrictions that previously allowed only residents of some Nordic countries and Germany to download the application, a spokesman has confirmed. “The idea is that you shouldn’t have to buy an expensive smart phone to browse the full Web,” said Eskil Sivertsen, a spokesman for Opera.

Hitachi Mobile Merger Announced

Japan-based Hitachi Ltd. and Hitachi Mobile Co. have announced a stock-for-stock exchange that would make Hitachi Mobile a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hitachi. As part of its reorganization, Hitachi has positioned the automotive systems business as one of its targeted fields. In October 2004, Hitachi merged with Tokico Ltd and Hitachi Unisia Automotive Ltd. Hitachi now owns 64.8 percent of Hitachi Mobile. Shareholders of Hitachi Mobile are expected to vote on the merger in February.

Casio G'zOne Launched in Korea

LG Telecom, Korea’s smallest mobile operator, took the wraps off that nation’s first waterproof mobile phone, the canU 502S [.jpg], developed under alliance with Japanese firm Casio Computer. Launched in Japan in May 2005, the G’zOne is a rugged, water-and-shock resistant handset based on the company’s popular G-Shock wristwatch series. The unit has four styles of digital time keeping and a sub-display screen that functions as an electronic compass. The Korean version also comes with an MP3 player and a mega-pixel camera and has a price tag of 550,000 won.

Vodafone Launches New Handsets & Service

Vodafone K.K. today announced it will commence sales of the Vodafone 702NK II (Nokia 6680) 3G handset, a Symbian OS smartphone, on 17 December 2005. The 702NK II allows customers to view Microsoft Word, Excel and other documents on their handsets and is the carrier’s first device to support their new Vodafone Office Mail service. The company also unveiled an ultra-slim 2G handset from Toshiba, the V502T, which will go on sale from the end of January 2006.