Device Arena

High Tech Computer (HTC) has recently been in talks with MediaTek to evaluate the possibility of using MediaTek’s WCDMA-based solutions, according to industry sources. HTC declined to comment on the report. MediaTek began testing its WCDMA platform in the second quarter and the company is choosing handset partners at present, the sources said. As HTC owns mature technology on 3G handsets and it has its own telecom service customers in Europe, the USA, Japan and Asia and Pacific markets, MediaTek is targeting HTC as its top priority partner, noted the sources.

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Apple Inc, which helped spawn the PDA market with its Newton MessagePad line in the early ’90s, plans to give the concept another go with a modern day reincarnation of the old fan favorite based on the company’s new mutli-touch technology, AppleInsider has learned.

For Apple, the ongoing project represents its second stab at reinventing the PDA since the Newton met its fate in the late 90’s — the first of which never saw the light of day and is only known to have existed based on a one-off comment from chief executive Steve Jobs over three years ago.

Speaking at the 2004 edition of the Wall Street Journal’s D: All Things Digital conference, Jobs stated that he was proud not only of the products Apple had released in recent years, but also the products the company had decided not to ship.

When asked by an audience member to elaborate, Jobs said simply, “an Apple PDA.”

It appears that Jobs and Co. never gave up hope, and instead returned to the drawing board. For the past 18 months, well-respected sources tell AppleInsider, a small team of Apple engineers have been at it again, this time tapping the company’s revolutionary multi-touch technology as a foundation.

During that time, sources have observed the project slip in and out of limbo, as Apple struggled to meet its self-imposed June, 2007 launch date for the iPhone. In at least two instances, the company pulled software engineers off the project to assist in the completion of the iPhone software, only to return those same engineers to the their original task months later.

With the initial iPhone now out the door and two successive models well underway in Apple’s labs, it’s believed to be full steam ahead for the modern day Newton project. Like iPhone and the iPod touch, the new device runs an embedded version of Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard operating system.

Externally, the mutil-touch PDA has been described by sources as an ultra-thin “slate” akin to the iPhone, about 1.5 times the size and sporting an approximate 720×480 high-resolution display that comprises almost the entire surface of the unit. The device is further believed to leverage multi-touch concepts which have yet to gain widespread adoption in Apple’s existing multi-touch products — the iPhone and iPod touch — like drag-and-drop and copy-and-paste.

Artist rendition showing approximate size ratio to existing Apple handhelds | Artwork by audiopollution.

More broadly characterized as Apple’s answer to the ultra-mobile PC, the next-gen device is believed to be tracking for a release sometime in the first half of 2008. Assuming the project remains clear of roadblocks, sources believe it could make an inaugural appearance during Jobs’ Macworld keynote in January alongside some new Mac offerings. Still, manufacturing ramp and availability would seem unlikely until closer to mid-year, those same sources say.

As AppleInsider has hinted, the next-gen PDA will signal the advent of a fifth core business segment (fourth if you discount Apple TV) for Apple, but at the same time represent just smidgen of what’s to come from the company’s new multi-touch platform, which has already proven to be a game-changer.

AppleInsider

Spb Software House, a leading Windows Mobile software maker, joined efforts with VimpelCom, a major Russian mobile operator, to deliver innovation directly to the Windows Mobile devices of Beeline subscribers, within the framework of the “Activation” service.

VimpelCom launched a service, offering its Beeline subscribers to download and install a batch of customized and specially preset software directly onto their Windows Mobile-based communicators and smartphones. As mobility is introduced into new aspects of life, and timely responsiveness and efficiency are becoming expected in everyday professional and social interaction, the world’s most advanced mobile operators look for ways to answer the growing need for mobile content, and this is where the software vendors can help.

“We are honored to have contributed to building ‘Activation’, and we are happy to partner with VimpelCom, a modern and forward-thinking enterprise, that understands the growing demand for customization of mobile services, and the importance of software in this task,” comments Sebastian-Justus Schmidt, Spb Software House CEO. “We are also grateful to Microsoft for creating such a powerful and developer-friendly operating system to support mobility,” he concludes.

“More than 18 thousand applications are made for Windows Mobile and the search of the most appropriate could take time,” said Vassili le Moigne, Mobile Communications Business Lead, Microsoft Central & Eastern Europe Area. “But now users of Activation service, created thanks to VimpelCom and Spb Software House efforts, will be able to quickly and easily install useful and effective programs for Windows Mobile.”

“VimpelCom is strongly committed to offering its customers world-class, reliable, effective and easy-to-use solutions. Spb Software House fits in well with business people needs, offering a wide range of popular and necessary content and software. Our new ‘Activation’ service helps people use their communicators and smartphones to the fullest,” comments Oksana Belyaeva, Marketing Director, Business segment & Roaming, VimpelCom.

The Activation bundle includes special, custom-designed editions of Spb Mobile Shell, Spb Insight, and Spb Weather, as well as software by Abbyy Software House, and Google.

Spb Software House

With this contract Nokia Siemens Networks strengthens its position as one of China’s leading GSM network suppliers Nokia Siemens Networks deepens its ties with Henan Mobile Communications Company (Henan MCC) with a GSM network expansion, EDGE introduction as well as network planning and implementation services deal. The agreement further cements Nokia Siemens Networks’ position as the leading network supplier for the radio and core networks of Henan MCC.

Under the contract of close to RMB 2 billion (EUR 180 million), Nokia Siemens Networks will extend its cooperation with Henan MCC and become the sole supplier of EDGE for Henan MCC in addition to already being a leading supplier of its GSM networks. The company will provide Henan MCC with its GSM and EDGE core and radio networks equipment, mobile soft switching solution including MSC (Mobile Switching Center) Servers, MGW (Media Gateway) and HLR (Home Location Register), as well as system integration, network planning, rollout and support services for Henan MCC’s GSM and EDGE network.

“We’re pleased to be continuing our long-standing partnership with Nokia Siemens Networks,” said Henan MCC general manager Yuan Jianguo. “The stability, reliability and cost-effectiveness of Nokia Siemens Networks’ network systems will allow us to provide our more than 27 million customers with exciting mobile experiences in the province, whether it is in GSM voice communications or EDGE for high speed and data connectivity.” Henan MCC will provide EDGE commercial services for its customers from September.

“Nokia Siemens Networks is very proud to continue its strategic cooperation with Henan MCC,” said Zhang Zhiqiang, head of Nokia Siemens Networks’ Greater China region. “The GSM expansion and the move to EDGE will help operators build state-of-art networks and generate new revenues while preparing the network for future evolution.”

GSM radio access networks delivered by Nokia Siemens Networks connect more than 1.3 billion subscribers around the world. Nokia Siemens Networks is the global No. 1 in EDGE with 120 references. Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading supplier of GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks to over 20 customers in China, with the largest installed base in China Mobile’s GSM network.

Announced as a concept phone in October 2006, KDDI has finally commercialize the INFOBAR 2 mobile phone, continue its simple style from the first version which was released in 2005.

The innovative INFOBAR 2 features a distinctive shape – as if rectangular candy design began melting and became slightly rounded in the mouth which is an organic and natural change. The shape, therefore, fits perfectly in one’s hands and goes smoothly into a pocket. The evolution of INFOBAR 2 is synchronous with a gradual change of machines taking on the characteristic of human roundness. The smooth and lustrous single surface of INFOBAR 2 has operation keys of various colors and a display screen.

The INFOBAR 2 has a 2.6-inch display screen (240 x 400), microSD card slot, 2 megapixel camera and a battery charging station to let you dock your phone on it directly.

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