Exclusive Smartphone Group Test. Day Two: The Nokia E90

Here is our second review, the Nokia E90, reviewed by Jay

In the world of mobile phones, size matters. If this is the case for you then you wont like the Nokia E90. If you can compromise you will get a top class mobile phone. The E90 offers it all.

This is my first time really using a communicator device from Nokia on a day to day basis and I was left very impressed. The usability is straight forward, the product is well built and feels very solid, and the battery performs very well. In 10 days of usage Ive had to charge the phone twice. Overall I would not hesitate to recommend the E90, it really is out on its own in terms of features and functionality.

The Nokia E90 is an amazing product. With so many features you would expect some level of complication in use, so it is a testimony to the user interface of S60 that everything is laid out in a logical manner and just simply works.

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[Source: The UK Mobile Phone Blog]

More Than 100 Million Handsets with Touch Screens to Ship in 2008

More than 100 million handsets with touch screens will be shipped in 2008, according to a new study from ABI Research. Increasing numbers of handsets with touch screens have started to appear in the market, including the Apple iPhone, the LG Prada, the HTC Touch, and the Ultra-Smart F700 from Samsung, as well as the P990, M600, and W950 handsets from Sony Ericsson. Touch screens and touch pads are gaining popularity and becoming more common on handsets, while helping to make the handsets more intuitive, pleasant, and efficient to use.

According to ABI Research industry analyst Shailendra Pandey, Handsets with intuitive user interfaces allow quick and easy access to various applications and services and can result in higher ARPUs for mobile operators by generating greater usage of their value-added services. Mobile operators are therefore keen to promote and market handsets with good UI on their networks. In the past, many smartphones and high-end handsets with a good number of attractive features have been commercial failures, simply because their user interfaces have been too complex and difficult for convenient use.

ABI Research expects that more than 500 million handsets shipped in 2012 will sport a touch-based user interface. A good handset UI is important not just to meet and exceed users expectations, notes Pandey, but also to support fast and flexible design changes, operator customizations, and late software distribution, while maintaining low demands on the hardware.

The firms new research brief, Mobile Phone User Interfaces, analyzes the current market trends in handset UI design and examines the companies that are licensing advanced UI engines for handsets. It also discusses in detail the growing movement to develop touch-based UIs in handsets, and the position of handset manufacturers in the mobile operating system market. Further, based on current market developments, the report forecasts the likely features and benefits of handset UIs in the future.

This brief forms part of two ABI Research services: Mobile Devices and Mobile Operators, which include a variety of Research Reports, Research Briefs, Market Data, Online Databases, ABI Insights and analyst inquiry support.

Founded in 1990 and headquartered in New York, ABI Research maintains global operations supporting annual research programs, intelligence services, and market reports in broadband and multimedia, RFID and M2M, wireless connectivity, mobile wireless, transportation, and emerging technologies. For information, visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.

source

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[Source: Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]

Exclusive Smartphone Group Test. Day One: The SPV M700

With so many people now taking the office home in their pocket to access emails, use the internet and use software such as Powerpoint and Word, we though it would be great to review and compare some of the latest Smartphones on the market. We chose to test the SPV M700, E90, Sony Ericsson P1i and the HTC Touch for you to compare and decide which one is right for you. We had the phones for over a week and tested the cameras, the usability and the functionality of each handset. The technical specifications are listed with each review, along with our own personal opinions of day to day life with our smart phones.

Read on for our first review of the Orange SPV M700 by Daniella…

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[Source: The UK Mobile Phone Blog]

Exclusive Smartphone Group Test. Day One: The SPV M700

With so many people now taking the office home in their pocket to access emails, use the internet and use software such as Powerpoint and Word, we though it would be great to review and compare some of the latest Smartphones on the market. We chose to test the SPV M700, E90, Sony Ericsson P1i and the HTC Touch for you to compare and decide which one is right for you. We had the phones for over a week and tested the cameras, the usability and the functionality of each handset. The technical specifications are listed with each review, along with our own personal opinions of day to day life with our smart phones.

Read on for our first review of the Orange SPV M700 by Daniella…

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[Source: The UK Mobile Phone Blog]

Sony Ericsson patents Housing arrangement for a portable device with a display

A housing arrangement for a mobile communication device comprises first and second housing sections connected together and movable relative to one another between open and closed positions. The first housing section includes a display that is substantially concealed by the second housing section in a closed configuration. The second housing section includes a window that reveals a portion of the display in the closed configuration. In the open configuration, a touch sensitive input is accessible through the window in the second housing section.

Description
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to handheld and portable electronic devices and, more particularly, to housing and user interface design for handheld and portable electronic devices.

[0002] Handheld and portable electronic devices have become a ubiquitous accoutrement for consumers in modern society. Such devices include mobile phones, personal digital assistants, cameras, and audio players. Because it is inconvenient to carry numerous devices to perform different functions, consumers desire multi-function devices that can perform a variety of functions. This trend has led to a convergence of wireless communication and computing technologies in a single device. Such devices may also include a camera and audio recording/playback capabilities.

[0003] Many mobile devices have multi-part housings with two or more sections that pivot, rotate or slide relative to one another. For example, clamshell-type mobile phones (also known as a flip phones) typically comprise two housing section pivotally connected by a hinge. One section serves as a cover or flip and moves between open and closed positions to cover the display and/or keypad of the phone on the other section. Sliding designs (referred to herein as sliders) are known in which two or more housing sections slide relative to one another. There are also jack-knife designs where two or more sections rotate relative to one another like a jack knife.

[0004] There are advantages and disadvantages for each different design type. Clamshell designs can accommodate large displays that are protected when the cover is closed. A smaller display may be provided on the cover section to allow viewing of information, such as caller identification, current time and date, and battery power, when the cover is closed. In most clamshell designs, the keypad is also covered in the closed position to prevent accidental dialing and key presses When open, the clamshell designs are a "natural" size for most ear to mouth distances. However, clamshell designs are prone to breaking and mechanical failures, have limited functions in the closed configuration, and have less than ideal distances between soft keys and the display. In sliding designs, the display is typically on the outside and supports functions in the closed configuration. Keypads are usually covered in the closed configuration and are protected against inadvertent key presses. Sliding designs tend to be more robust than clamshell designs and provide the same size advantage in terms of ear to mouth distances. However, sliding designs do not provide protection for the display and do not typically include a secondary display to view information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A portable electronic device according to one exemplary embodiment comprises a first housing section and a second housing section connected to the first housing section so as to be movable relative to one another between open and closed positions. A display is disposed on the first housing section and arranged to be substantially concealed by the second housing section when the first and second housing sections are in the closed configuration. A window in the second housing section allows a portion of the display to be viewed through said window when the first and second housing sections are in the closed configuration.

[0006] In some embodiments of the invention, a touch sensitive input device is disposed on the first housing section and is accessible through the window in the second housing section when the first and second housing sections are in the open configuration. The display may comprise a touch screen display. A portion of the touch-screen display may be accessible through the window in the second housing section and function as the touch sensitive input. Alternatively, the touch sensitive input device may comprise a touch pad or other input device that is wholly separate from the display.

[0007] In some embodiments of the invention, the second housing section may further include one or more soft keys for receiving user input. The soft keys may be disposed adjacent the window. Soft key icons indicating the function of the soft keys may be displayed on the portion of the display visible through the window in the second housing section.

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[Source: Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]

I love girly funky mobile phones in pink

Hey!

My name is Daniella EL Magowry, I work in the marketing department of Mobiles.co.uk and will be posting articles now and again for the blog. I am a placement student from the University of Hertfordshire where I am taking a Business Studies degree. Previously I have worked in a mobile phone wholesale company called Elite Mobile.

I love all girly, funky phones and accessories. I currently have the LG Chocolate and Motorola V3 in pink. The latest handsets I am interested in at the moment are the Sony Ericsson W580i in pink and the new funky coloured Mandarina Duck collection. When Im not busy in the marketing department I like listening to music and love belly dancing! I also enjoy going out to clubs, concerts and the theatre.

I hope you enjoy reading the articles that I post and find the information useful.

Daniella

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[Source: The UK Mobile Phone Blog]

Yet more pics of the Porsche P9521 phone

Here are some more great shots of the Porsche phone, this time from sogi. The phone does look nice but I still don't think it is worth 1700$ US. Enjoy the pics!















Pics from sogi

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[Source: Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]

Nokia E51 hands on video

The E51 is Nokia's newest E Series business-class device. It packs a full feature list, such as HSDPA and WiFi into a slim bar-style form factor.


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[Source: Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]

Motorola Q9h live pics

Here are some great pics of the latest Motorola Q smartphone. The Q9h has a great and sleek look (has a very RAZR2 look). It also sports some pretty good specs.

- HSDPA
- full QWERTY keyboard
- 2 mega pixel camera
- microSD support
- 11.8 mm thick
- A2DP
- Windows Mobile

Enjoy the pics!






















Pics from mobil.sk

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[Source: Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]

The latest Sony Ericsson rumors

A new member under the name arunvc over at esato have provided lots of info in the rumor super thread. Since he is new, his credibility is in question so it's up to you whether to believe it or not. Here is a round up of all the info he posted. Before that, here is a big update post by shaliron.

"BIG UPDATE:

Symbian Cyber-shot phone planned for the near future.

Movement to Windows Mobile OS (to be released by the second half of 2008) perhaps alongside with their UIQ phones.

Severine is the Cyber-shot with 3x optical zoom. Cancelled because Sofia was so badly delayed.

Jie
To be named V640. Vodafone exclusive candybar. 2 megapixel camera, 176x220px screen, and about 16-17mm thick. Successor to the V630. Will come in three colours: brown/gold, black/orange, and white/orange. Very much like a K530 with JP-8 and HSDPA.

Slim Walkman Phone
Could be named W770. Could be a Walkman version of the K770. No visible frontal camera, 2.2" QVGA screen, non-AF camera, and made of plastic. Could be like a W580 in a candybar form.

W890
W880 successor. 3.2MP camera with AF but no flash, 2" QVGA screen, light sensor and made of metal. Will come in at least 2 colours. Will be JP-8. Should be available soon after announcement (to make the Christmas rush).

The low end candybar is the K205a for the American market. Looks to be a redesigned K200.

MBS-100
A bluetooth speaker system shaped as a ball.

There may be an announcement on the 15th of November, 2007. The P3, Mooi, Akiko, and Lena may be announced.

The W54S is for AU KDDI. It may not be Cyber-shot branded, and if so, another one will come out with Cyber-shot branding.

The SO905i is not Cyber-shot, although there is a phone codenamed SO905iCs, which is Cyber-shot, and may or may not be announced in November.

...another UPDATE:

The P3 will be announced in November and released in 2008.

Mooi will have six keys plus a navigation pad and no keypad. "


Now here are arunvc's posts:

"I can affirm that this Sony ericcson w890i,3.2 mp autofocus,
basic colors should be 2
expected announcement date is q4 with immediate availability soon.

Did u guys notice the keys,se has chaged into normal keys instead of slim ones

Theres surely a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT IN NOVEMBER"

"SOME OF NEW PHONES TO BE ANNOUNCED In Q4 WILL SURELY HIT THE STORE SHELVES FROM JAN 15-FEb15"

"WE WILL SURELY SEE OPTICAL ZOOM PHONES ONLY IN Q2 2008"

"TWO ULTRA HIGH END PHONE TO BE ANNOUNCED ONE IS TOUCH SCREEN WITH NO KEYPAD WITH SIX BUTTON ON THE FRONT

AND A NAVIGADATION PAD

AND OTHER SURELY IS A P SERIES,BUT IT WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLY IN 2008 "

"THERS SURELY ISNT A HIGH END CYBERSHOT WHICH IS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON."

"ONE OF RELEASED WOULD LOOK LIKE MOTORAOLA ROEKR E6 JUST THE FORM FACTOR WITHOUT KEYPAD.JUST LIKE ROEKR E6 I MEAN 'SLIGHTLY SIMILAR IN FORM AND 'SLIGHLY' SIMILAR IN APPEARENCE MAY BE A LITTLE BIGgER SCREEN THAN E6"

"Possbility of next
Sony ericssons next P-SERIES would be approx 125 grams
SUPPORT FOR HSDPA,UMTS
AND STiLL 256k
BUT 480*640 Res Touch screen
2..8 inch screen
5MP Autofocus with Flash
WiFi 802.11b/g Support instead of b only in P1i
Symbian os 9.1
Probably could be uiq 4
Probably 160 mb internal memory,Probably m2 expansion slot
Probably GPS
probably wap 2.0
Probably C++ support"

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[Source: Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]

Motorola enables High Definition expansion with innovative MPEG-4 to MPEG-2 Receiver

Network Solution Provides critical bridge between MPEG-4 and MPEG-2 Video Delivery Networks

SAN DIEGO 24 September 2007 Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced a significant advance in video network delivery solutions with the introduction of the Motorola DSR-6000 series receivers, the first of a new generation of receiver-transcoders. The DSR-6000 series is the first step in allowing networks to use both MPEG-4 AVC and MPEG-2 compression technologies.

Motorolas DSR-6000 follows the success of Motorolas award-winning DigiCipher II secure content delivery systems, to enhance network efficiency for both programmers and operators by reducing bandwidth requirements up to 75 percent while delivering high-quality MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 content.

Building on over 20 years of technology innovation in the video industry, Motorolas DSR-6000 series makes the delivery of programming significantly more effective for both programmers and operators by enabling the operators to receive programming in bandwidth-efficient MPEG-4. This, coupled with more efficient higher-order modulation technology, reduces satellite transponder requirements by up to 75 percent, allowing programmers to deliver additional high-quality high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) programming. The receiver converts content into MPEG-2 for operators with MPEG-2 set tops.

Programmers and operators are expanding high-definition programming portfolios to meet the ever-growing demand from consumers for more high-quality video, said Doug Means, corporate vice president and general manager of Motorolas IP Video Solutions Group. The introduction of the Motorola DSR-6000 family of receiver-transcoders extends our video network delivery leadership by allowing both MPEG-4 and MPEG-2 compression technologies to work within the same network. We see strong demand from our customers and anticipate that this innovative series of products will accelerate the adoption of HD programming.

Using the DSR-6000 series, programmers can distribute content solely in the MPEG-4 HD format, while enabling service providers to deliver in either MPEG-4 or MPEG-2, and in either standard definition or high definition formats.

Motorola is the acknowledged leader in video network solutions, having deployed more than 2,500 digital headends in both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4. This leadership extends to IPTV headends and cable video networks. As a result, more programmers in North America deploy Motorola satellite video delivery network solutions than any other solution. Motorola is also a world leader in digital set tops, having shipped more than 60 million cable set tops and more than two million IPTV set tops.

About Motorola
Motorola is known around the world for innovation and leadership in wireless and broadband communications. Inspired by our vision of seamless mobility, the people of Motorola are committed to helping you connect simply and seamlessly to the people, information, and entertainment that you want and need. We do this by designing and delivering "must have" products, "must do" experiences and powerful networks -- along with a full complement of support services. A Fortune 100 company with global presence and impact, Motorola had sales of $42.8 billion in 2006. For more information about our company, our people and our innovations, please visit www.motorola.com.

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[Source: Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]

Nokia 7550 Prism white live pics

Here are some great shots of the white Nokia 7500 Prism. I am still undecided whether the black or white version looks better. Although...the black has a more expensive look to it. Nokia really made an effort to make everything match prism style...from the supplied accessories to the content on the phone. Enjoy the pics!
















Pics from sogi

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[Source: Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]