Mobile Technology

First Internet-Connected GPS Device

By Mike Hanlon

December 15, 2006 Dash will be showing a very interesting device at the coming 2007 International CES in Las Vegas – the first Internet-connected GPS device. As it’s connected live to the rest of the world, the first GPS device with two-way connectivity, Dash Express has a rich set of real-time features to help consumers make smart decisions behind the wheel. It will for example, get you where you want to go in the fastest time possible using information generated from other Dash devices in the company’s driver network. You can select from three routes for any destination based on accurate travel time forecasts from the network. It’ll also enable you to find virtually anything -- people, places, products and services -- using Internet-enabled local search, send addresses from any computer right to your dashboard and make sure you always have the most up-to-date maps and software. Dash will be available in California in spring 2007, and will be available nationally in fall 2007. Read More

Digital GPS Multimedia Travel Guide

By Mike Hanlon

December 14, 2006 Calabash’s new World Explorer, is a hand-held, digital GPS travel guide that is now available for daily rental to St. Thomas USVI visitors. The number of useful gadgets for travellers is burgeoning, and this week yet another arrived at market. The Calabash World Explorer combines the functionality of a hand-held touch screen GPS, audio tour guide, MP3 player, photo viewer, encyclopedia, and a user digital user review form. Read More

USB-to-USB Transfer Device for iPod, Digital Cameras, and Other USB Devices

By Mike Hanlon

December 7, 2006 The US$100 Hitch is a unique USB sharing accessory that gives iPod users the ability to share their files on the go without a PC, Hitch can connect USB devices such as digital cameras, digital audio/video players, USB flash drives and is compatible with many brands of USB devices, such as Apple, Creative, iRiver, Samsung, Sony, Canon, Nikon, Casio, Olympus, Panasonic, etc. It’s well worth a look if you’re a professional who needs to carry lots of files around with them, a photographer, or have need to regularly transfer music, video, photos, documents, and more. Hitch will even charge all of these devices during use! Read More

US$500 wrist watch telephone and MP3/MP4 player

By Mike Hanlon

December 5, 2006 The wrist watch telephone has been one of the most anticipated gadgets in history, having been introduced to the public psyche by Chester Gould’s globally-syndicated newspaper comic strips featuring Detective Dick Tracy who began using a wristwatch phone in 1946 (supersleuth Tracy was quite the technophile, with his wrist phone becoming a two-way video watch in 1964, and a wireless wrist-worn computer in 1987). Now the dreams of a billion people are about to be answered with the coming launch of a miniscule (43 x 56 x 16.8 mm) US$500 wristwatch weighing just 45 grams (1.6 ounces) with a 96 x 74 Pixel touch screen and as well as making and receiving phone calls (GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 MHz Tri mode (HW and SW) it’ll play MP3s and MP4 videos. Initially expected to be available in mid-2007 in Pastel Blue & Pink, Baby Blue & Pink, Navy Blue, Electric Blue, Red, Yellow, Black and Grey, there’s also a range of upmarket versions in the design phase (see design sketches in the image gallery) made in 18 carat gold, black titanium and other exotic substances. Read More

Goldvish launches into Dutch market at Millionaire Fair in Amsterdam

By Mike Hanlon

December 4, 2006 Geneva-based luxury personal communication company, GoldVish combines exclusive jewellery, haute couture and the ever-developing world of technology to develop very glitzy and very expensive mobile phones. The company is developing its European market by introducing its cell phone collection at each successive Millionaire Fair Exhibition and will this week be one of the stars of Millionaire Fair in Amsterdam. Following on from successful launches in both Cannes and Moscow, GoldVish co-founder Gregor Snip, who developed the concept in Holland has a prize draw at each of the events and gives away one of his US$30,000 phones, the last one going off in Moscow. The winner of the incredible prize was Ms Galieva, from St. Petersburg, who won her golden diamond-encrusted cell phone “by coincidence.” “I took a plane from St Petersburg to visit the fair in Moscow. I collected my ticket just five minutes before the drawing -- a lucky coincidence, I must say.’ Read More

Samsung develops World’s Slimmest Mobile LCD Screen

By Mike Hanlon

November 29, 2006 Samsung Electronics is the world’s largest provider of numerous technologies and consumer electronics products, among them thin-film transistor, liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) panels. The company has now announced that it has developed the thinnest reported LCD panel - one no-thicker than a credit card at 0.82mm, which is 0.07mm thinner than the panel previously reported to be the world’s slimmest. The company also announced that it has developed a new mobile technology, which it is calling, “i-Lens”, for integrating the entire panel assembly, including a protective layer, into a single, thinner module that is more shock-resistant and easier to read than conventional panels. In effect, it means our mobile phones will soon become slimmer yet again. Read More

Breakthrough Linux-based MOTOFONE with electronic paper display

By Mike Hanlon

November 29, 2006 Motorola has finally rolled out the highly anticipated MOTOFONE at an event held in New Delhi, India. The MOTOFONE looks set to strengthen Motorola's drive to connect the next billion mobile phone users, with the Indian launch to be followed by a rapid international rollout. Is the first model of the company’s SCPL design platform Linux-based phones designed to replace the Razr and is aimed at low-end users with its very easy-to-read electronic paper display and outstanding battery life. It is the first of a new breed of handsets designed to disrupt today's communications landscape by cutting across price tiers, product segments and international markets. We’ve written lots previously ( Sony Reader, READIUS Rollable Display, Iliad electronic reader, Plastic flexible e-paper Display, clocks, watches) about E Ink’s electronic paper displays, which are the basis of the MOTOFONE's ClearVision display. The changeable electronic ink display is easy to read in bright sunlight or dimly lit environments from virtually any angle -- just like paper. Additionally, the display is plastic, lightweight and ultra-low power, making it ideal for mobile and power sensitive applications by eliminating the weight and breakability of glass used in LCD displays. Read More

Multimedia rCards take relationships with clients and prospects to new levels of interactivity

By Mike Hanlon

November 28, 2006 Last October, we wrote about the coming of rCard technology, a US$25 multimedia card with hi-res screen about the size of a credit card and not much thicker, recognising it as an important step in the evolution of disposable, giveaway and promotional items. CEO IQ yesterday showed the card being used in five different applications as a sales tool, a customer interaction tool, a talent recruiting tool, a life-saving tool and a “sneak peek” at a retail version of the rCard. Unlike thumb-drive USBs and business card CD-ROMs, the rCard is a complete interactive information vehicle that does not require a computer or technological skill to use. The rCard has a two inch color screen and can be loaded with up to 1 gigabyte of information at the factory. It has a long-lasting battery and shows photos, data, graphics, slide shows and video and is now being touted as a US$32 item – still worthwhile as a give-away to encourage high value clients. A video of the rCard can be seen here, and opportunities now exist globally for distributors and clients alike. Read More

Another elite mobile phone contender – the Gresso

By Mike Hanlon

November 28, 2006 As we head towards the tipping point – the point where half of all the people in the world has a mobile phone – it’s becoming quite an entertainment to watch the development of the world’s expensive mobile apparatus for the very elite. We’ve previously written about the Vertu Collection, and JSC Ancort’s solid platinum Brilliant Crypto smart phone, and now there’s another contender at the very expensive end of proceedings. It is the Gresso phone. The case of the phone is made from Gold and 200-year-old African Blackwood, with every Gresso phone handcrafted and unique. Whatsmore, the phone is just 10mm thick. Sapphire anti-glare crystal glass frames the surface of the screen. We’re assured that the phone is well equipped technically, but we don’t have the specs other than it allows travel worldwide. Designed by an un-named Italian designer, the phones will be on sale only in Russia. The company has not yet unveiled its web site. Read More

Mobile Gaming Habits changing rapidly and globally

By Mike Hanlon

November 28, 2006 Mobile multimedia is the next frontier of digital commerce and a new Nielsen study for Nokia has some interesting insights into the rapidly changing landscape which addresses individuals with entertainment in ways previously unavailable. Gathered by conducting one hour interviews with 1800 participants across China, Germany, India, Spain, Thailand and the United States, the results found mobile phone gamers average 28 minutes per session (highest India with average 39 minutes), that one third of them play daily, that phone games are played on the move (61%) almost as much as they are played at home (62%). Also, mobile phone gamers are making the most of their idle time with 56% preferring to play while waiting for something to happen. Read More

CSU adopts Podcast On-The-Move Study

By Mike Hanlon

November 21, 2006 Several California State University campuses have adopted iTunes U, an innovative software that enables students to download podcasts of such items as lectures, campus news, and class notes into their portable iPod systems. The iTunes U service, developed and hosted by the Apple Computer, Inc., enables students to download audio, graphic and video images onto their Macintosh or PC computers, then copy them to their iPods to listen or view anywhere. Students may also upload content to share with professors, or the class. Professors and students using this free service are also linked to university news and information related to academic and student events. Of CSU's 23 campuses, Fresno State, Cal State East Bay, San Jose State, Cal State Dominguez Hills, and Sacramento State have already adopted iTunes U. Read More

Sony Ericsson ranks highest in mobile phone customer satisfaction

By Mike Hanlon

November 20, 2006 Sony Ericsson ranks highest in satisfying customers who have owned their current mobile phone for less than two years, according to a J.D. Power and Associates 2006 U.S. Wireless Mobile Phone Evaluation Study released this week. The study measures customers' satisfaction with their wireless handsets based on five key performance factors. In order of importance, these are: physical design (24%); operation (22%); features (20%); handset durability (19%); and battery function (15%). Sony Ericsson received the highest ratings from customers in handset durability, and also performs particularly well in features and battery functionality. LG and Sanyo took out second and third place in the overall rankings, with global market leader Nokia, Samsung and Kyocera performing below the industry average. Read More

Ohmibod - the first iPod acsexory

By Mike Hanlon

November 20, 2006 Sexuality is common to us all. Like music, it is a universal language that can overcome all barriers, so, maybe they can be combined? . Developed using a team of 500 beta testers, the Ohmibod is a music-powered vibrator that translates tunes from any MP3 player (actually any audio source so iRiver, Creative, Zune etc will all work too) into vibrations. Offered as an “acsexory” aimed squarely at the world’s largest selling personal entertainment device (the Apple iPod), the aim of the slick marketing exercise is to make vibrators socially acceptable. The timing couldn’t be better as personal entertainment devices are selling at more than 50 million units a year, roughly half of them to women, so the world’s first audio player acsexory might be a killer app in the making. There’s an online Club Vibe (which users can join anonymously), centred on enhancing the OhMiBod experience, and sharing OhMiBod Playlists and experiences. Now we haven’t tried it, but those that have are being very complimentary on the Ohmibod blog Ohmiblog, writing things like, “I’ll never listen to the Black Eyed Peas in the same way again”, and “the perfect travelling companion.” Considering the various forces at play in reaching the desired result, we’d suggest that rather than using music designed with other things in mind, there’s also the prospect of a whole new genre of music designed to create the sustained frequencies and rhythms for a successful outcome. Though OhMiBod is not endorsed by Apple, OhMiBod’s creator, Suki, previously worked in product marketing for the company and it shows. “The idea of approachability was carried through the entire development and design of OhMiBod - its name, packaging and website,” says Suki, whose goal is for women to feel as comfortable buying an OhMiBod as they do buying an iPod. Read More

Location-based Social Mapping on your mobile

By Mike Hanlon

November 16, 2006 Given that it’s just one third of a century since the world’s first cell phone call was made, one wonders just what we’ll be carrying in another 33 years and just what it might be capable of. We had cause to ponder how useful the device formerly known as the mobile phone could become when we saw the new loopt service today. It’s a location-based social mapping service that enables mobile phone users to share their location, status messages, photos and other on-the-go experiences with friends but unlike other social location services, automatically updates the location of everyone in a private network and displays that information directly on a map on the phone. It even sends an alert when a friend in the network is near, putting an end to missed connections in the mall, at the movies or around town. This functionality has shades of killer-app in our opinion. Read More

The world's biggest iPod accessory

By Mike Hanlon

November 15, 2006 If Apple Computer gets any more innovative and influential, it might be worth asking if they have any ideas on how to deal with the Iraq war, global warming and the spread of HIV – let’s face it, they couldn’t help but improve the current efforts. Anyway, we digress. Apple yesterday announced it is teaming up with Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United to deliver the first seamless integration between iPod and in-flight entertainment systems beginning in mid 2007. These six airlines will begin offering their passengers iPod seat connections which power and charge their iPods during flight and allow the video content on their iPods to be viewed on the their seat back displays. Where’s the innovation you might ask? It’s in locking in their iPod in all the places that count when you’re not at home – they’ve already announced dozens of automotive integration agreements - more than 70 percent of 2007-model US automobiles will offer iPod connectivity. Additionally, Apple is working with Panasonic Avionics Corporation to bring even more leading airlines in-flight iPod connectivity in the future. Read More

Tumi's PowerPack Backpack - the Gift That Gives Twice

By Mike Hanlon

November 14, 2006 Here’s a fantastic product with a double banger reason to consider purchasing. The Tumi PowerPack Backpack is designed for people who wish to travel widely and regularly get off-the-grid for periods of time. It has a removable solar panel for charging your phone, PDA etcetera, a TUMI international electric adaptor built-in, a removable, padded laptop sleeve, three other removable compartments and numerous interior and exterior accessories pockets for essentials such as a flashlight, travel documents, camera and water bottle.

The limited edition PowerPack backpack from Tumi was co-designed with international artist Anish Kapoor, and each of the 500 backpacks features an Anish Kapoor Imprimatur on the face of the bag, is individually numbered, and has a limited edition metal plaque on the shoulder strap. Here’s the clincher - Tumi will donate 100% of the proceeds of each bag sold to Medecins Sans Frontieres /Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the international humanitarian aid organization that provides emergency medical assistance in more than 70 countries around the world. Read More

The Future of TV – midday primetime, 5 second ads, shorter more concise everything, snackable content, interactive plots, and personalised content

By Mike Hanlon

November 11, 2006 Personalization and interactivity will be the key drivers of mobile TV according to a new report commissioned by Nokia and conducted by Dr Shani Orgad from the London School of Economics. The report, titled 'This Box Was Made For Walking', examines the future impact of mobile TV on the broadcasting and advertising industries. The report predicts that the introduction and adoption of mobile TV will ultimately give way to a more personal and private TV experience than that of traditional broadcast TV, with big implications for users, content providers and advertisers. Users will be able to receive content anytime, anywhere, choose what is most relevant to them, and even create and upload their own television content, while content providers and advertisers will be able to tailor their offerings more specifically to the user. Full report can be downloaded here. Read More

Charge N’ Go - Motorola’s new P790 Portable Charger

By Mike Hanlon

November 6, 2006 One of the main problems with all this high-productivity-enabling technology for the person-in-the-field is what happens when the electrons run out. We all know what it’s like to be out and about with a flat mobile phone battery, so we’re all likely to appreciate the Motorola P790 Portable Charger. The compact and wire-free Motorola Portable Power P790 is a mobile power source that can be used on handsets and headsets with low or dead batteries and is perfect for mobile business professionals and chronic conversationalists. The pre-charged Motorola P790 is small enough to fit into your purse or pocket and plugs into the mini-USB port on your Motorola phone or Bluetooth headset for instant power – no wall outlets, no wires required. The Motorola P790 provides one to two full battery charges for your handset and more than 10 full Bluetooth headset charges. Read More

Transportable HD Radio receiver, Dockable Entertainment featuring Game Boy Advance, and Wireless Charging Concept on show at SEMA

By Mike Hanlon

October 31, 2006 The Specialty Equipment Markets Association (SEMA) Show opens in Las Vegas today and one of the stars of the show will undoubtedly be the extensively modified 2006 Scion xB on the Visteon stand which incorporates several new and pretty important technologies in not just automotive entertainment but mobile entertainment in general. Visteon is using the Scion to showcase the first transportable HD Radio receiver (pictured with docking stations in the car and the home), an in-vehicle portable entertainment system that plays movies, music, Nintendo Game Boy Advance video games and a Wireless Charging Concept (main picture), that allows users to charge handheld devices such as an iPod, cellular phone or PDA and does not interfere with the operation of other electronics. Read More

The RoadWarrior - scanning for travellers

By Mike Hanlon

October 31, 2006 The newly announced Visioneer RoadWarrior looks to be one of those items that will find itself incorporated into the travelling kit of most mobile professionals. Based on Visioneer’s award-winning Strobe design, it measures only 2 x 1.5 x 11.4 inches (5.1 x 3.8 x 30cm), weighs just 10 ounces (283 gm), scans 36-bit color and comes with an array of very useful full version software for an all-up of US$200. The RoadWarrior is powered via USB and automatically begins scanning when a document is inserted enabling scanned receipts to be combined with virtually any expense report form, business cards to be captured, recognised and exported to all leading contact managers, PDAs and smart phones and the ability to scan and convert documents into searchable PDF files that are easily organized, shared and better protected. Visioneer has also signed a distribution agreement to bundle Google Search Tools that allow road warriors to quickly find documents and maps for important business meetings. Read More

US$200 Head Mounted Display for Video iPod

By Mike Hanlon

October 27, 2006 Fancy having a HMD (Head Mounted Display) to use with your iPod video but don’t fancy the high ticket price? The magnificently-named 22Moo, which partnered with one of the world's largest HMD manufacturers to create a sub-US$200 HMD dubbed the HMD800. The HMD800 provides a virtual 30" theatre-like image with “clear and exquisite detail” – their words not ours, though we do have a set arriving shortly so we’ll let you know what to expect in a week or two. The 2.1-track Dolby surround-sound stereo earphone completes the experience of being at the theatre or playing a game while you’re on the train, bus or plane. 22Moo is seeking international distributors for the HMD800. Read More

ArmorPlus for BlackBerry – ruggedised Integrated Device providing Barcode Scanning, GPS, Touch Screens With eSignature and Secure Data Memory Cards

By Mike Hanlon

October 27, 2006 The fully converged mobile device draws ever closer and a new product announced today by Solution Technology, the ArmorPlus for BlackBerry Series 7200 looks to be the ‘all-in-one’ solution with the mostest at this point in time. ArmorPlus for BlackBerry is the first wireless, mobile data device providing integrated applications for Barcode Scanning (a true Class 2 laser barcode scanner), GPS (a comprehensive GPS which works Off-road and Off-net, with a high-sensitivity mode for use in obstructed areas), a Touch Screen window that provides both touch data and signature capture capabilities with a stylus and a touch-sensitive, transparent window mapped over the Blackberry screen. It combines multiple applications in a ruggedized case (tested for multiple drops from two meters onto concrete) to deliver optimum performance for the demanding data needs of large, mobile enterprises. It’s a comprehansive mobile data solution for government and commercial services in transportation, healthcare, insurance, construction, manufacturing, homeland security, law enforcement, public safety, telecommunications and more. Read More

LG FUSIC – why isn’t this phone more popular?

By Mike Hanlon

October 24, 2006 The LG FUSIC mobile phone has a distinctly musical bent – it delivers entertainment services at broadband-like speeds and looks, feels, and plays like a portable music player with the added ability of downloading full songs over-the-air, an FM transmitter for playing music through a radio or car stereo, Bluetooth Stereo support, and changeable faceplates for personalization of the phone. The bit that we can’t understand is why this phone isn’t more popular. The inbuilt Customers FM Transmitter offers stereo sound from MP3s stored on a microSD card through a radio or car stereo – the only mobile phone we’re aware of that does this without an accessory. Brilliant stuff! Read More

Odiogo turns a blog/RSS feed into an MP3

By Mike Hanlon

October 23, 2006 Text-to-speech converters suck, or at least they used to suck – these days the latest converters such as the US$30 Odiogo are remarkably good at giving the written word a coherent news reader voice. Odiogo downloads your favorite RSS news and blog feeds and converts the text into spoken word so it becomes available via an MP3 player, when you want. Odiogo converts any RSS news and blog feed into a Podcast! As seen in the pages of the Red Ferret Journal. Read More

MOTOKRZR takes a good thing and runs with it

By Tim Hanlon

October 21, 2006 We're seeing more and more phones using the clamshell form factor, and considering the success of Motorola's most recent offering, the MOTORAZR, it's no surprise to see them release the MOTOKRZR - an update with plenty of functionality and the classic format crammed into a sleek 16mm x 42mm x 103mm shell that weighs 3.6 ounces. Read More