Device Arena

AT&T and Research In Motion today announced the launch of the BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8110 smartphone, which includes built-in global positioning system (GPS) support for location-based applications and services. Combined with navigation and mapping applications such as AT&T Navigator, the handset provides turn-by-turn voice and on-screen directions with colorful 3-D moving maps that can be used in vehicles or while walking. AT&T Navigator also alerts users through voice and on-screen prompts to traffic slowdowns and incidents along their programmed travel route, and it provides customers with the option to choose an alternative route.

“The BlackBerry Pearl 8110’s stylish design and consumer features blend well with the productivity features for managing your day while away from home or the office,” said Michael Woodward, vice president, Business Voice/Data and Wireless Products, for AT&T’s wireless unit. “Beyond the BlackBerry Pearl 8110’s powerful e-mail and messaging capabilities, which keep users on track with important information while mobile, its new built-in GPS capabilities — coupled with AT&T Navigator — will keep customers literally on track when they are getting from Point A to Point B.”

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Ericsson was honored with the title of “China Green Company” in a national selection revealed by China Entrepreneur magazine, Daonong Enterprise Institute and Guanghua School of Management of Beijing University on April 22, due to its continuous commitment to innovation in environmental protection in China.

Ericsson accepted the China Green Company Award at a ceremony on April 22, as part of the 2008 China Green Company Annual Conference in Beijing. During this selection, green has been defined as the harmonious co-existence not only between man and nature, but also among human beings, the latter of which includes the relationship between entrepreneurs and the public, as well as between enterprises and society.

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The Nokia Music Store in France combines quality music and exceptional mobile devices, all without sacrificing ease-of-use. It also offers over 2.5 million titles from the best French and international artists, of which some are available exclusively. Local music is very important in France, where more than 60% of songs on the “Hit Parade” hits list are by local artists. Nokia is working with major record companies as well as independent labels and the top local artists.

“The music industry isn’t just about selling songs; it is also and especially a way to share new musical experiences. Nokia aims to provide the best music experience by building services into its mobile devices to satisfy users who want to be able to access their music collections anytime, anywhere, and for a reasonable price,” explains Eric Munier, music activities manager, Nokia France.

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Nokia today announced that the Nokia N82 multimedia computer has been awarded the ‘Best Mobile Imaging Device in Europe 2008′ by TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) - Europe’s largest photo and imaging press association.

“The Nokia N82 is a compact multimedia computer that integrates GPS, web, video and music functions around a 5 Megapixel camera with a high-speed, f/2.8 autofocus lens,” the TIPA jurors said. “This Carl Zeiss Tessar focuses from 10cm to infinity and produces sharp prints up to and beyond A4 size. Several scene modes are also available to optimize the Nokia N82 for great images, whether shooting portraits or night shots,” TIPA continued. Other Nokia N82 features highlighted by the jurors are the Xenon flash and 20X digital zoom.

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Alcatel-Lucent today announced the appointment of Rebecca Hick as channel manager for its Enterprise Business division in New Zealand. Ms. Hick will lead a growing sales team and manage a multi-channel network of resellers to promote Alcatel-Lucent’s market-leading portfolio of enterprise products.

An ICT specialist, Ms. Hick joins Alcatel-Lucent from Fronde, an IT services company, where she was client business manager and consultant. Prior to that she held similar roles at Vodafone, Air New Zealand and ASB bank.

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Spring is in the air, and for music lovers that means just one thing — today’s hottest bands are about to heat up the stage at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival (http://www.coachella.com).

AT&T announced today that the company will be offering an exclusive live webcast from the 2008 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival on the AT&T blue room (http://www.attblueroom.com) daily April 25 - 27. In addition, on-demand content from the festival will be available across the three screens — on blue room, on AT&T U-verseSM TV and through Cellular Video1 on AT&T wireless devices — in May.

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AT&T today reported strong first-quarter results, highlighted by a significant ramp in consolidated revenue growth, led by improved results in wireless and enterprise, and further expansion of wireless and consolidated margins. This marked AT&T’s 12th consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in adjusted earnings per share.

“We delivered an excellent first quarter and a solid start to the year,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and chief executive officer. “Revenue growth continues to ramp, we have good momentum across key growth areas, major cost initiatives are on track, and our operational results reinforce the confidence we have in our outlook.

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Motorola today introduced the Motorola Netopia® 7000 Series VDSL2 Gateways. The 7000 Series gateways are designed to deliver high-speed data and IPTV services over ultra-broadband networks that are easy for service providers to install and manage. Through the use of advanced VDSL2 technology and Motorola’s industry-proven embedded routing software, these new gateways are ready for the extreme demands of next-generation service offerings such as high definition TV (HDTV).

The Motorola Netopia 7000 VDSL2 Gateways are available in three different configurations in order to address the worldwide demand for VDSL2 technology. By offering solutions based on Broadcom® with PhyR™, Conexant® and Ikanos Communications® chipsets, Motorola can support the wide variety of network configurations that are being deployed by the world’s largest service providers.

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Motorola announced a new version of its eCare customer support application, adding versatility and secure functionality to improve the quality and efficiency of web-based call center resolution. Motorola’s flagship customer care tool for remote management and control of the desktop, eCare 5.2 adds Managed Scripts to enable network device and operating system interaction and beyond, with more speed and consistency.

“With Motorola’s eCare solution, our customers get the advantage of virtual eyes and fingers solving a problem, helping to reduce call times by an average of more than 60 percent ,” said Alan Lefkof, corporate vice president and general manager, Motorola Broadband Solutions Group. “The new Managed Scripts component allows for issues to be solved even faster and more effectively, ultimately leading to more satisfied customers and enabling the accelerated delivery of personal media experiences.”

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Sprint announced that, for the third consecutive year, NFL fans can watch NFL Network’s live broadcast of the NFL Draft on April 26-27 on their Sprint video-enabled phones and receive other exclusive wireless NFL Draft content via NFL Mobile only from Sprint.

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