According to leaks around the web, Fujitsu-Siemens will unveil a high-end smartphone loaded with features at 3GSM in March. The T800 [ .jpg image ] will roll-out a QWERTY keyboard with a 240×240 display, rumored to be running Windows Mobile 5.0 Phone Edition on a 416 MHz XScale processor. Also predicted 64 MB of RAM and 128 MB of Flash ROM for storage the new unit will supposedly offer Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) and Bluetooth 2.0 as well.
Toshiba Corp. has developed software that lets shoppers use their phones to check the reputations of products on the Internet. Shoppers only need to use the phone’s built-in digital camera to take a photo of the product bar-code label. The service will cover products that consumers are particularly concerned about, including consumer electronics products, food, books, CDs, DVDs and cosmetics. Commercial application is expected to begin in fiscal 2006 after further testing at electric appliance retailers and bookstores from February.
Sony Ericsson unveiled their latest Walkman handset today at CES in Las Vegas. The W801i comes with Quadband GSM 850/900/1900/850 and EDGE support, dedicated music buttons in the joystick like the W900. Specs include a 2-megapixel camera with autofocus and flashlight, 1.9-inch 176×220-pixel 262k color screen, Memory Stick Duo Pro slot and 20-MB of internal memory. This latest design, however, apparently lacks the FM tuner. Scheduled to be available worldwide in the first quarter of 2006.
NTT and Sega Ltd. have started a joint experiment that utilizes object recognition technology developed by NTT Laboratory; the technology gives hyperlink functionality to patterns (trademarks, signboards, posters, etc.) as well as to solid things (commodities, etc.) that exist in the real world, and enables combination with various services on the Internet. The technology utilized in this experiment was developed by the NTT Cyber Communications Laboratory. NTT will conduct a verification of business applications through this joint experiment, while Sega will examine the development of new contents that use the technology.
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 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.
