Mobile Payments Users to Grow by 40% to Reach 2.5B Globally by 2015

A new report by analyst firm Juniper Research forecasts that the number of mobile phone users making payments for digital goods will reach 2.5 billion worldwide by 2015, up from 1.8bn forecast for 2011. This represents a growth of 40%.

Mobile tickets for transport and entertainment were found to be two of the key sectors influencing growth although new service and application adoption will also be very important.

Senior analyst David Snow gave more details: “Whilst the mobile payments sector offers substantial growth opportunities, it needs to be seen by innovative players as a platform from which to develop new value added applications and services such as personalised mobile coupons, loyalty schemes, and novel augmented reality offerings.”

T-Mobile Discontinuing Even More, Plus Plans, Value and Classic Plans Coming Soon

T-Mobile will once again be revamping is service plan lineup in the next month by eliminating the longstanding Even More and Even More Plus Plans with a new slate of plans dubbed “Value” and “Classic” The plans will be broken up in the following tiers:

Value
Value plans will be able to add unlimited text to family plans for $5 a line as no separate text bundles will be offered with new data plan pricing for Value plans starting at 200MB for $5, 2GB for $10, 3GB for $15, 5GB for $25 and 10GB for $55 with no data required for Value plans, as T-Mobile is requiring outright purchase of handsets under these new plans. Read More for the plan breakdown.

The new individual voice rate plans are priced as follows:

500 minutes for $34.99/month with Talk/Text at $39.99, adding data access ranges from $44.99/$49.99/$54.99/$94.99 for 200MB/2GB/5GB/10GB per month. 1000 minutes will be available in a voice-only option for $49.99/month, but employees are instructed to upsell to the Unlimited Talk/Text option for $49.99. Adding Data access starts at $54.99/$59.99/$74.99/$104.99 for 200MB/2GB/5GB/10GB per month.

Family plans will be able to add lines to the 1,000 minute voice rate for an additional $5 a month, with Talk/Text at $59.98 and adding Data starts at $59.99/$69.99/$79.99/$169.99 for 200MB/2GB/5GB/10GB per month. The 2,000 minute per month rate also has the $5 add a line option but is limited to voice only with dealers again instructed to upsell to the unlimited plan for $79.99/month and adding data access starts at $89.99/$99.99/$129.99/$189.99 for 200MB/2GB/5GB/10GB per month. Unlimited plans will also be able to add lines for either $5 a month for 500 minutes or $25 a month for unlimited voice.

The new Value plans also mean that conventional handset subsidies will be done away with, as customers will be paying the monthly rate plus the equipment installment fee for their particular phone and is broken down into the following tiers: $3/month for basic phones, $5 for feature phones like the reclassified Nuron, $10 for smart phones and $15 for phones like the G2X with an initial payment equal to half of the phone’s T-Mobile suggested retail price or paying full retail at the time of the contract signing. Upgrades will not be subsidized and will require paying for the phone at full price as well. Value plans will also no longer feature the option to operate without a contract unlike the former EM+, as the new rates require a 2 year agreement and will not be offered by third-parties. Read more for the updated Classic plan changes.

Classic
Classic plans are the current rebranded Even More plans with conventional subsidies, with T-Mobile planning to make a major push to migrate Even More customers to the new Value lineup to tout the new lower monthly rates, although with one major caveat: T-Mobile will be introducing “migration fees” to customers that wish to take advantage of the lower rates of the Value plans or make significant changes to their current Classic plan, with rates starting at $200 for those customers within the first 7 months of the current contract, $150 for months 8-11, $100 for months 12-15, $50 for months 16-17 and free migration for those at the 18th month or later in their current agreement. To add further complication, T-Mobile will not allow migration from Value plans back to Classic plans. Those with current Even More Plus or Even More plans will be grandfathered.

Windows Phone 7 Mango To Bring Front-facing Camera Support?

Oh man! That girl you met in the hostel in Prague wants to video chat. It’s like 2 a.m there! This can only be good! HIGH FIVE!

Wait. No. No high-five. I TAKE MY HIGH FIVE BACK. You’ve only got a Windows Phone 7 handset. They don’t having front-facing camera support, much less video chat support. Sad trombone.

Fortunately, it looks like a fix is on the way. Well, sort of. Anyone who already has a Windows Phone 7 handset won’t benefit much from this (for obvious, lacking-a-camera-on-the-front reasons), but a few developers have dug through the most recent build of the WP7 Mango update and have found all sorts of evidence that Microsoft’s up-and-coming update might natively support front-facing cameras. The most damning evidence: that circled icon above lurking about in the camera app.

[Via WPCentral]

Nokia Closes U.S. Online Store, Redirects to Amazon

Nokia has quietly shut down its longstanding online sales portal in the US after five years, following similar closures earlier this month in the UK and Spain. The portal was initially opened to offer interested customers easier access to unlocked phones and accessories, but has stated that the individual portals have become untenable thanks to the rise of third-party dealers that offer deeper discounts. All US Nokia online store links now redirect to Amazon.com.

Ironically, Nokia has also stated that it has become easier to purchase Nokia devices since the opening of its own sales portal, conveniently forgetting that the US sales portal was the only reliable outlet to purchase NAM hardware versions of both its midrange and flagship N and E series devices, as both AT&T and T-Mobile have not picked up the N8, E7, E6 or any other flagship Symbian^3 devices since AT&T canceled the previously planned X7 N8 variant earlier this year.

With the closure of the portal in the US, customers will have to go back to using Amazon or depend on third-party dealers, where availability of Nokia accessories and phones can vary wildly. Nokia Cares will still be available to address warranty issues for US customers.

Nokia shutters online and retail stores in UK, US web store

Nokia will be entering Q3 free of any direct-to-consumer sales channels in the US and UK. The Finnish smartphone maker shuttered its remaining UK retail stores earlier this month (with the exception of Heathrow Airport, which remains open), and also discontinued sales on its US and UK online stores -- joining France, Spain, and The Netherlands, which all went offline last month. We spoke to a former Nokia UK retail employee, who cited poor marketing, high prices, slowing traffic and a high product return rate as a few of the reasons that the stores closed -- returns of the N8 and E7 dominated other handsets, with customers complaining of device crashes and corruption, hardware failures, and usability issues. He reports that the stores were also only able to sell devices on Vodafone and T-Mobile, and only Vodafone allowed customers to upgrade in a Nokia store. The majority of customers came into the store for support, rather than to make a purchase.

"The last two months were particularly quiet. Even if the shopping centre was busy, the Nokia store would have perhaps no more than 30 people through the door a day, usually for technical assistance. And that was that, all stores were closed abruptly on June 20th."

We imagine pricing played a large role in the decision to close the UK and US online stores, just as it did with UK retail and online stores in other countries. Both country's online stores have been replaced with a closure notice, with the US store directing customers to Amazon, and the UK store referring visitors to eight retail partners, instead.

Nokia Shutters UK Retail Stores

[Thanks, Karl]

HTC Eternity leaked: 1.5GHz processor, 4.7-inch display, front-facing camera

As the world runs short on snarky phone titles (and in fact, starts using a couple of the gems on more than one occasion), we're left to overlook the moniker here while focusing on what's important: that display. In fact, the 4.7-inch WVGA Super LCD shown here actually does seem to extend on for Eternity, and if HTC Inside's leak pans out, we could be looking at the world's next WP7 superphone. It's bruited that this fellow will be shipping with a single-core 1.5GHz processor, 8 megapixel camera (autofocus, dual LED flash), a 720p movie mode, front-facing 1.3 megapixel camera, 16GB of storage, DLNA support, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS and a 1,650mAh battery. That's a pretty startling list of features, and savvy Windows Phone followers will recognize that the Mango update will indeed be necessary before that front-facing shooter becomes useful. Needless to say, we'll be keeping an ear to the ground for more, as essentials like price and release have thus far eluded us.

OfficeMax Lets You Print From The Road With First Full-Service Mobile Print Center Application

OfficeMax, Mobile Print Center Application, 900 ImPress Print, Android, OfficeMax ImPress print

OfficeMax Incorporated, a leader in office supplies and services, today announced the launch of the first full-service Mobile Print Center Application from OfficeMax. Providing access to more than 900 ImPress Print Centers at OfficeMax retail stores nationwide, the free mobile application enables reliable, efficient printing for mobile users on-the-go. Designed for iPhone and Android devices, Mobile Print Center by OfficeMax makes it easy for users to access, upload and print documents and images from their mobile devices and schedule items for pick-up at any OfficeMax ImPress print center nationwide.

“OfficeMax listened to our ‘road warrior’ customers who need to print on-the-go and often feel their documents are trapped on their phones,” said Jeff Haddon, Mobile Marketing Manager for OfficeMax. “With hundreds of in-store print centers across the country, we designed the Mobile Print Center by OfficeMax app to bring our print services to a mobile audience.”

 

Mobile Print Center by OfficeMax enables users to access documents and images for printing from their mobile devices, on-device email, Google Docs program or from past Print Center orders. Users can customize print orders including paper size and type, color, binding and more. The mobile application provides a store locator with directions for order pickup. Upon placing orders, customers receive a confirmation call from the OfficeMax ImPress center with order total and pick-up time. Users can also opt-in to receive mobile text messaging alerts on order status. Standard text messaging fees may apply.

 

The Mobile Print Center app by OfficeMax is currently available for download free-of-charge on the iTunes App StoreSM at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/print-center/id440746146 and Android Market at https://market.android.com/details?id=com.officemax.impress. In addition to Mobile Print Center, OfficeMax features mobile applications for browsing, shopping and staying updated on special offers available at no charge to users at www.officemax.com/mobile.

 

Refined sound and classic style with G Series micro Hi-Fi systems

G Series micro Hi-Fi systems

Transform listening at home with acoustic excellence, network features and elegant looks:

· Carefully crafted design delivers crisp, clear sound

· Enhance MP3 tracks with easy connection for iPod and iPhone

· Play music from a range of sources via USB and Wi-Fi 

Enjoy a pure sound performance

 

G Series micro Hi-Fi systems have been crafted to deliver a sound quality to impress even the most demanding audio enthusiast.

 

Drawing upon years of expertise developing amplifiers, our G Series micro Hi-Fi systems use innovative geometric grounding technology to minimise amplifier distortion so you hear accurate rhythm and tempo whether you’re listening to a thumping rock anthem or a gentle classical track.

 

Compact speakers are designed to handle the high power output of the amp and deliver a natural acoustic balance. Every tiny detail, from grooved internal speaker walls to the woofer and tweeter construction, creates a pure sound which lets you lose yourself in the music performance.

 

 

Classic looks and a premium finish

 

Simple and elegant, G Series micro Hi-Fi systems recall classic analogue Hi-Fi systems. The main unit is finished in solid aluminium with a hairline finish and retro-look control knobs. The light colour of the aluminium creates a striking contrast with the high-gloss black piano speakers.

 

Design is subtle, understated and always focused on the listening experience. Moving the volume control a millimetre to the right and adding an outer ring adds to the beautiful simple design. Using polyurethane paint rather than cheaper polyester paint in speaker coating minimises unnecessary resonance for a crisp, clear audio performance

 

 

Choose your music, your way

 

G Series micro Hi-Fi systems offer a variety of ways to play your favourite music. Certified as Made for iPod / iPhone, you can easily connect an iPod or iPhone via USB and give tracks a big audio sound. Or plug an MP3 player or USB memory stick into the USB port and make the most of your digital music library.

 

G Series micro Hi-Fi systems with Wi-Fi (CMT-G2BNiP and CMT-G2NiP) mean you can connect to a wireless home network and play music from your PC or Internet radio channels – with no clutter of cables. Use the Wi-Fi to stream tracks to Wi-Fi devices in other rooms. You can even download a free iPhone app and control a G Series Hi-Fi from anywhere at home.

 

There’s DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) radio too. Enjoy even more music, news and sport in digital quality. DAB means easier tuning, reduced interference, information on artists and tracks and access to a huge range of local and national radio stations.

 

The choice for music connoisseurs

 

“G Series micro Hi-Fi systems have a classic design style but are packed with the latest audio and network innovations,” says Yuji Kitayama, Director, Home Entertainment of Europe. “The premium finish and purity of the sound performance will give audio enthusiasts everywhere an exquisite listening experience.”

 

CompanionLink Offers CRM Sync Support for the HTC EVO 3D

CompanionLink Software announces two-way synchronization and backup of contacts, calendar, tasks and memos between popular CRM databases and the HTC EVO 3D. CompanionLink supports syncing the EVO 3D with Microsoft Outlook, IBM Lotus Notes, Sage ACT!, Palm Desktop, Novell GroupWise, Salesforce CRM, and Highrise. CompanionLink also supports sync with Microsoft Outlook add-ins like Franklin Covey PlanPlus for Microsoft Outlook, Getting Things Done, Take Back Your Life, Respond, Avidian Prophet, and Outlook Business Contact Manager.

The HTC EVO 3D features a dual-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor running Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), a 4.3” 3D screen, and twin 5-megapixel cameras. The standout feature of the EVO 3D is its ability to both display glasses-free 3D video as well as capture 3D photos and video.

Google Talk video chat finally available over T-Mobile 3G and 4G (video)

Remember how excited we all were when we found out that Android 2.3.4 would bring video chat to Google Talk on the Nexus S? Only to have our hopes and dreams smashed when we discover that it didn't work over 3G on T-Mobile. Well, it seems the carrier has quietly flipped a switch, and now all you Nexus owners can GChat face-to-face over HSPA+. Surely this an historic day, one that will go down in the annals of mobile history -- or, you know, at least one that deserves an exasperated "finally!" Check out the video proof after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Samsung and SaskTel Launch World’s Thinnest Dual Core Smartphone

Samsung GALAXY S II

The Samsung GALAXY S II, an incredibly thin and lightweight, dual-core smartphone, will be available from SaskTel in the coming weeks. Featuring the Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the latest version of the world’s fastest-growing mobile operating system and sporting a 4.3″ Super AMOLED Plus screen, Samsung’s latest smartphone combines an unmatched viewing experience with unrivalled performance. 

“With the Samsung GALAXY S II, Samsung takes its leadership in Speed, Screen and Content to a whole new level,” said Paul Brannen, vice president of Samsung Mobile Canada. “This stunning device, coupled with the incredible fast speeds of the SaskTel 4G network, provides users with a new standard of performance and quality viewing on mobile.”

 

The GALAXY S II next generation smartphone includes access to Samsung’s content and entertainment hubs, seamlessly integrated to provide instant access to music, games, e-reading and social networking services.

 

“SaskTel is committed to providing our customers with access to the best devices,” said Ron Styles, SaskTel President and CEO. “We believe the Samsung GALAXY S II is a game-changing smartphone that offers an unbeatable user experience.  We are very excited to offer the device to our customers through Saskatchewan’s largest and fastest 4G network.”

 

Powerful Performance

With a dual-core application processor and advanced wireless network (HSPA+ 21 megabits per second) connectivity  the GALAXY S II delivers seamless multitasking, switching between applications instantly, fast web browsing, smooth and fast games and video, and instantly responsive user interface. With super-fast HSPA+ connectivity, the GALAXY S II offers rapid mobile download speeds while Bluetooth 3.0+HS considerably reduces data transfer times. This powerful and stylish smartphone features an 8 megapixel camera with 1080p full HD recording and playback, and a built-in LED flash. With Samsung’s patented AllShare technology, customers can capture, create and then share their experiences hassle-free.

 

A Next Level of Viewing Experience

At the heart of the GALAXY S II is Samsung’s new crystal-clear Super AMOLED Plus screen. Setting the standard of quality viewing on mobile, Super AMOLED Plus introduces the best in quality in colour gamut, contrast ratio and edge sharpness. Using RealStripe screen technology and a greatly increased sub-pixel count, Super AMOLED Plus makes images clearer and more detailed. The 4.3″ screen offers a wider viewing angle and increased visibility outdoors, for an outstanding viewing experience.

 

Even with its unrivalled performance, the innovative Super AMOLED Plus display does not compromise battery performance. A significant reduction in power consumption from the Super AMOLED display means it is also more energy-efficient than other comparably-sized devices, allowing Samsung to minimize device weight.

 

Availability

The Samsung GALAXY S II is available at any SaskTel Store or SaskTel Authorized Dealer for $79.99 on a three year voice and data term. Or shop online at www.sasktel.com.

 

Samsung Files ITC Complaint Against Apple, Tries To Ban Imports Of iStuff

They’re at it again folks, and it only gets uglier and uglier. Samsung has filed another complaint against Apple, according to the International Trade Commission website, this time to request an import ban against the iPhone, iPad, and iPod. Should the ITC choose to investigate the complaint, we won’t get a final decision for at least 16 months.

This is only the latest in a series of back-and-forth nastiness between the two tech beasts. Apple started it, filing a complaint in April over “slavishly copied” Samsung products, but Samsung is certainly doing its best to finish it. With every move Apple makes, Samsung is there with a counter-attack. Obviously, after Apple’s initial complaint, Samsung counter-sued citing patent infringement and things only escalated from there.

Shortly after, the two submitted requests to get early previews of the others’ products, although Samsung’s request was certainly overreaching, at best. Just last week, Apple filed a suit on Samsung’s home turf of South Korea, and now reports are coming out claiming that Apple is dumping Samsung as a chip maker, opting for Taiwan SemiConductor Manufacturing Company.

If those reports are in fact true, this would definitely signal a break-up between the long-time partners. Apple is one of Samsung’s largest customers, but when weighed against the opportunity to be a super successful consumer brand in the mobile arena, being a component supplier for Apple doesn’t quite cut it for Samsung. Following the same logic, Apple would much rather protect its intellectual property than get hung up in supply chain issues.

[via FOSS Patents]

Convert SWF Files to HTML5 with Google Swiffy

Google has launched a new service called Swiffy available on Google Labs. Swiffy allows you to upload a SWF file, and Swiffy will convert it to an HTML5 version which will run in modern browsers with a high level of SVG support such as Chrome and Safari. It’s still an early version, so it won’t convert all Flash content, but it already works well on ads and animations.

Swiffy uses a compact JSON representation of the animation, which is rendered using SVG and a bit of HTML5 and CSS3. ActionScript 2.0 is also present in the JSON object, and is interpreted in JavaScript in the browser. This representation makes the Swiffy animations almost as compact as the original SWF files.

Azzurri hires four new product managers

Managed services provider brings in four new product managers and makes four internal promotions to support growth

Azzurri communications has expanded its management team with four new product manager appointments designed to help the firm build on the introduction of its Azzurri Innovations arm launched last year.

Paul Fawcett will take charge of mobility at Azzurri following stints at Vodafone and O2 and Steve Palmer (pictured right) will be the firm’s new data solutions manager following roles at Cisco and 3Com.

Former Orange and Ericsson employee Derek Wallace will take over professional and managed services and Stephen Wright (pictured left) will take responsibility for contact centres following roles at Aspect and NICE.

Azzurri is also making four internal appointments, giving Chris Pearson, David Groves, Tom Bazeley and Luke Talbot new product management roles within the company.

Azzurri chief technology officer Rufus Grig said: “The specialisms the new hires bring, combined with the skills of our existing team, position us very strongly given the market appetite for the organisational benefits unified communications platforms can deliver.”

Azzurri director of business development Craig Wellman said: “We’ve invested significantly in this team, which builds on the success of our Azzurri Innovations arm.

“We see the product team as a key component for our own business growth as we move up the value chain, to offer more professional services that complement our traditional systems integration and managed service offerings.”

Azzurri set up Innovations in September last year in a bid to combine its software development arm and its systems integration and consultancy capabilities.

Angry Birds lands on Windows Phone 7, ready to explore the third ecosystem

Nowadays, you can't really claim to have a mobile OS worthy of the title if your users can't run Angry Birds on it. Good news from Microsoft, then, as Windows Phone 7 can finally be admitted at the grown-up table now that it has released its port of Rovio's epic bird-launching experience. $2.99 is the Marketplace price for the full version, though there's also the option to try out the first few levels for free. Because, you know, there might still be people out there who haven't yet been exposed to the charms of this perniciously addictive little game.

Gowalla Now Available For Windows Phone 7, Foursquare Still Hasn’t Checked In

Good news for any Windows Phone 7 owners out there who are just dying to get back to telling everyone where they are and amassing cutesy badges: Gowalla is now available on your platform.

This is the first of the major check-in apps that has made it’s way to Microsoft’s nascent platform — which is actually a bit of a surprise. Why? Because if Microsoft’s demos back at their MIX 2010 conference were any indication, a Foursquare app was riiiiight around the corner. Turns out, that app was built by someone at Microsoft.. who’s no longer with the company. A rep from Microsoft went on record back in May saying that an official Foursquare app was on the way, but we haven’t heard anything since.

Of course, it’s worth noting that the platform will get built-in support for a different check-in platform in just a few weeks, as integrated Facebook check-ins are one of the features found in the upcoming Mango update.

Judging from the screenshots, it looks like Gowalla’s done a pretty good job of finding that balance between Windows Phone 7′s minimalist, floaty-text-everywhere look and their own bright, cheery, oh-god-so-many-graphics aesthetic. The app does just about everything you’d expect — Check ins, “Spots” discovery, etc. — while tapping into some of Windows Phone 7′s features to push things like unread comments/checkins to the homescreen via the Live Tiles system.

Now go! Quick! Go start collecting your cartoon pictures of hot-dogs and Big Bens and what-not!

OfficeMax Now Selling Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go & BlackBerry Smartphones

Virgin Mobile USA Broadband2Go is even easier to access as select OfficeMax stores nationwide now offer the MiFi2200 mobile hotspot and Ovation MC760 USB device, as well as the BlackBerry Curve 8530 smartphone. Broadband2Go is a wireless internet service available on the nationwide Sprint 3G network without an annual contract or activation fee. A variety of corresponding no-contract plans for smartphones and broadband devices provide flexibility to professionals on the go and those wanting to stay connected while on summer vacation.

“We are pleased to expand the distribution of both our Broadband2Go offerings as well as the BlackBerry Curve 8530 to provide great accessibility right in time for summer travel,” said Mary Marzullo, director, national accounts, Sprint Prepaid Group. “Our new $20 for 500 megabytes of data Broadband2Go plan makes Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go the affordable, flexible solution for staying connected while on the go. We look forward to extending this option to OfficeMax shoppers.”

Leaked Nokia Roadmap Promises Four New Symbian Handsets In Q3

Nokia is all about the ladies. With Symbian, we have Anna and Belle iterations, with more girly names to follow in alphabetical order. And of course, who could forget that absolutely ridiculous female-targeted N8 commercial? It’s certainly burned into the corners of my memory, unfortunately. Today we came across a leaked roadmap for upcoming Symbian handsets, and we were surprised to see that Nokia has taken the lady-love a step further, giving girly names (at least for now) to four different upcoming Symbian phones.

There isn’t much to say yet about the Nokia Helen, Cindy, Zeta, and Fate, but one thing that was made pretty clear on the leaked document was that each will get a 1GHz processor. That’s a big step up from previous Nokia flagships that only touted a 700MHz processor. Tech blogger and leak extraordinaire Eldar Murtazin claims that each phone will have a screen with 360×640 pixels of resolution, and all four ladies should arrive in the third quarter.

Here’s a quick run down on each of the four upcoming handsets:

Nokia Helen:

3.5-inch ClearBlack LCD display

OS: Symbian Belle

C7 successor

8-megapixel fixed-focus camera

Nokia Zeta:

3.2-inch AMOLED display

OS: Symbian Belle

Listed as ”thinnest smartphone ever”

NFC chip

Nokia Fate:

3.2-inch AMOLED display

Affordable price point

5-megapixel camera

Nokia Cindy:

3.2-inch AMOLED display

”Attractive” pricing

5-megapixel camera

NFC chip

FM radio

[via Phone Arena]

Andy Rubin: over 500,000 Android activations a day, and growing

You may have noticed that Steve Jobs isn't nitpicking anymore over how Google measures the number of Android activations. It probably has something to do with the fact that, no matter how you slice it, at this point Android's growth is outpacing that of the iOS. In fact, according to Andy Rubin, 500,000 new Android devices are activated every day, and that number is continuing to grow. Heck, as of December that number was only 300,000 -- that's a 60-percent increase in just over seven months. At this rate there will be more Android phones than people in just a few short years. There might not be enough food and potable water to sustain the Earth's ever growing population, but at least everyone will be able to tweet about it.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

T-Mobile announces myTouch 4G Slide, aims to take smartphone photography to new heights

Well, we'd seen plenty of pictures of T-Mobile's new myTouch 4G Slide over the past couple of weeks, and now it's official. T-Mo officially pulled the wraps off its newest handset, and it's packing a 1.2 GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor and a 3.7-inch WVGA super LCD screen. As for software, the slick slider comes with some tasty Gingerbread slathered in Sense 3.0. There's also an 8-megapixel shooter that does low-light photos with a wide-aperture lens capable of f2.2 -- just like that new Nokia N9 that has us all hot and bothered. The camera also has burst mode for snapping rapid fire photos, takes HDR pictures, and does 1080p videos, too. It's slated for a July release, so we won't have to wait much longer until we can indulge our inner Ansel Adams. Such fantastic smartphone photography is all yours for $199.99 on a two year contract, and there's a video of the phone and a smattering of other details in the PR after the break.

Show full PR text

New T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide Delivers Most
Advanced Camera of Any Smartphone

Latest myTouch device offers premium smartphone features paired with high-end digital camera capabilities for capturing and sharing life's special moments

BELLEVUE, Wash. - June 28, 2011 - T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced the myTouch 4G Slide, the latest 4G smartphone to join T-Mobile's exclusive line of myTouch products. The myTouch 4G Slide features the most advanced camera of any smartphone with zero shutter lag, backside illuminated sensor and additional premium digital camera features that offer consumers a viable replacement for their digital point-and-shoot cameras. The myTouch 4G Slide is expected to be available in July.

T-Mobile's high-speed 4G network continues to expand and is now available in more than 190 markets, reaching more than 200 million people nationwide. With the T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide, T-Mobile customers in these areas can now take advantage of 4G speeds as they instantly capture and then share special moments at the speed of life.

"Knowing that the best camera is the one you've got with you, we set out to create a new best-in-class smartphone that allows our customers to leave their cameras at home," said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president, marketing, T-Mobile USA. "Our newest myTouch device takes capturing and sharing memories to a new level by combining high-quality smartphone hardware with features that customers would expect from a top-of-the-line digital camera."

Ideal for capturing that perfect moment with photos that rival high-end dedicated digital cameras, the myTouch 4G Slide comes with an 8-megapixel camera with a dual LED flash and a host of advanced digital camera features, including the following:
· Improved low-light Performance: with a backside illuminated sensor and a wide aperture lens (f/2.2)
· Zero shutter lag: innovative software features allow for an instantaneous shot at that precise moment
· SweepShot™: for capturing panoramic shots by sweeping across an entire scene in a single motion
· ClearShot™ HDR: for capturing objects in bright settings so your photos are not affected by high-contrast lighting
· BurstShot™: for capturing multiple photos in a quick burst so you don't miss the perfect photo

Running on America's Largest 4G Network™, the myTouch 4G Slide allows customers to instantly capture, and then share, quality photos and videos with a dedicated camera button and one-touch access to post to Facebook, Picasa or Flickr all at 4G speeds. A true camera and camcorder replacement, the myTouch 4G Slide features a full HD 1080p camcorder with audio recording and ability to edit videos directly from the device.

Manufactured by HTC exclusively for T-Mobile, the new myTouch 4G Slide features a beautiful 3.7-inch WVGA super LCD touch-screen display, with Swype, and a slide-out full-QWERTY keyboard, offering customers the freedom to choose how they want to input text. Powered by Android™ 2.3 (Gingerbread) and HTC Sense 3.0, the myTouch 4G Slide provides an intuitive and powerful smartphone experience. With support for T-Mobile's lightning-fast 4G network paired with a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon™ processor, myTouch 4G Slide customers will experience quick access to their favorite websites, videos, applications and much more.

The myTouch 4G Slide makes staying connected with loved ones more convenient than ever with T-Mobile Video Chat powered by Qik™ for face-to-face video chat on the go and Group Text™ by Bobsled™, which offers an innovative way to send and receive text messages with groups of friends. The new advanced Genius Button™ offers one shot voice commands, powered by Dragon Dictation from Nuance, that simplify the smartphone experience by enabling users to call, text, find a business or search the Web, all with the press of a button. With the myTouch 4G Slide's Hands Free mode, customers can stay connected while on the road with the option for all notifications to be read out loud - simply tell the phone to text or dial to continue the conversation.

The myTouch 4G Slide offers preloaded entertainment applications, including T-Mobile TV, Netflix and YouTube for real-time mobile video streaming. The myTouch 4G Slide's entertainment experience also can be shared with the whole family with T-Mobile KidZone, a built-in feature that allows parents to restrict what applications their kids can access on the device without worrying about them making a call or accessing inappropriate material.

Availability

Offered in two colors - black and khaki - the T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide is expected to be available exclusively from T-Mobile in July at T-Mobile retail stores, online at http://www.t-mobile.com, and from select national retailers and dealers. Customers can visit http://mytouch.t-mobile.com/4g-slide for more information.
T-Mobile's 4G network has expanded to seven additional markets: Barnstable, Mass.; Chico, Calif.; Lancaster, Penn.; Ogden, Utah; Redding, Calif.; Vineland, N.J., and Winchester, Va.

T-Mobile's HSPA+ 4G network not available everywhere. See coverage details at http://www.t-mobile.com.

TomTom's iPhone App gets updated, brings HD traffic updates along for the ride

Hate gridlock? We'd surmise you aren't alone, so pardon our excitement surrounding the latest addition to TomTom's longstanding iPhone app. New in version 1.8 is the addition of HD Traffic, which extends congestion data to both "major" and "secondary" US roads. Existing TomTom Traffic subscribers get the functionality gratis, with the rest of us dishing out $20 via an in-app purchase. Free for all who upgrade are multi-stop routes, allowing one to tweak excursions to your heart's content -- provided you can count those diversions on one hand. The updated app is already live in the App Store, but please, pull over before downloading -- cool?

Show full PR text

TomTom HD Traffic Service Now Available on the TomTom App for iPhone

~ More TomTom Drivers Gain Access to the Most Accurate, Comprehensive and Up-To-Date Traffic Information Available ~

CONCORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TomTom today announces that its newest update to the TomTom App for iPhone, version 1.8, now includes TomTom HD Traffic compatibility. TomTom HD Traffic enables drivers to get to their destination faster and is the most accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date traffic solution available.

TomTom HD Traffic provides the most accurate traffic solution by reporting and capturing more actual traffic jams than ever before to help drivers avoid delays and find the fastest routes. Only TomTom HD Traffic will recognize traffic conditions for both major and secondary roads within the U.S. road network to help re-route drivers clear of traffic. Additionally, with traffic updates every two minutes, TomTom HD Traffic will help reroute drivers around traffic more quickly and get them to their destination faster. TomTom HD Traffic is an optional service available via an in-App purchase.

Expanding the availability of TomTom HD Traffic is one of the commitments that TomTom has outlined in its Traffic Manifesto, which is the company's mission to reduce traffic congestion to everyone. Drivers using TomTom HD Traffic are helping reduce traffic congestion for themselves and every driver around them. For more information about TomTom's Traffic Manifesto, visit www.tomtom.com/trafficmanifesto.

Also new to the TomTom App is multi-stop routes. This innovative feature makes it easier for drivers to make multiple stops on a single route by letting the user add up to five stop-off points when they plan their journey. This new App release also gives users the latest map which includes recent changes to the roads.

Availability

The latest version of the TomTom App for iPhone is available on the App Store starting today.

The TomTom App for iPhone v1.8 is available for purchase via the App Store. Continental and regional versions of the TomTom App are available today for iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G and iPod touch users at www.tomtom.com/tomtom-app.

TomTom HD Traffic is available via an in-App purchase for $19.99. Current TomTom Traffic subscribers will be automatically upgraded to TomTom HD Traffic service for no additional charge.

New Details On Google’s Next Nexus: Now Known As Nexus “Prime,” Built By Samsung

When we reported on the Nexus 4G, Google’s first Ice Cream Sandwich smartphone, we weren’t sure whether or not it would be a “pure Google” device or a handset made by one of the tech giant’s manufacturing partners. The inside source promised a “monster-sized” 720p display, a 4G radio of some kind, an an OMAP440 processor, but none of the leaked specs hinted at who would make the device.

Today, however, BGR’s source has given some new information about the handset that definitively answers our question. According to the source, that “monster-sized” screen will be a “Super AMOLED HD” display, which can only mean one thing: Samsung is getting in on the Ice Cream Sandwich party.

We had been tentatively calling the phone the Nexus 4G, but the source claims that this handset’s current codename is “Prime,” which means the phone could launch as the “Google Nexus Prime.” Whatever it’s called, we’ll be excited to get our hands on it and play around with the new OS. The source also promised a pre-Thanksgiving release for the flagship, and if true, we’ll certainly have quite a bit to be thankful for.

O2 signs two-year deal with La Senza

Operator claims contract to provide retailer with all phone lines reduces its fixed line costs by 27 per cent

O2 has signed a two-year contract with high street lingerie retailer La Senza in the UK to provide it with its fixed lines, adding to the contract it has supplying it with mobiles.

The operator said that by joining up both fixed and mobile services, it has been able to drive efficiency and reduce the complexity of mobile suppliers, helping reduce La Senza’s fixed line costs by 27 per cent.

Adding to its existing contract to supply mobile phones, O2 will now also provide La Senza with all its phone lines across its 180 stores, three distribution centres and its head office. O2 will also provide services to assess the efficiency of lines, remove duplication and reduce wastage.

O2 UK general manager for enterprise David Plumb (pictured) said: “Consolidating suppliers is one of the most economical ways of ensuring that businesses operate as efficiently as possible.

“La Senza’s decision to join up both its fixed and mobile suppliers by expanding its relationship with O2 strengthens our position as a trusted partner and strategic advisor for our business customers.”

La Senza UK and Ireland infrastructure manager Paul Erskine said: “O2 has been providing La Senza with our mobile communication solution for four years. When it announced that it was providing fixed lines, it was an easy decision to move our fixed line estate to O2 as well.”

Verizon Motorola Droid 3 to Be Unleashed on July 14

In the beginning, the word was out and the rumors started to spread out. After the exciting assumptions, pictures have leaked and gadgeteers have sniffed out video demos confirming the existence of the phone. All of that comes to an end with a screenshot of a list inventory, including details of the shipment of the phone to the shop. Finally, everyone receives info of a solid release date! This is the story of how the Verizon Motorola Droid 3 will come out via Best Buy.

According to screenshots via the Best Buy Inventory list, Motorola Droid 3 will arrive at shops on July 13. And since the mobile scene has been excited with various leaks and more leaks, Best Buy may have it released on sale the next day, Thursday, July 14. Verizon may keep it firm on that day, most probably, to have sales multiplied in larger degrees, especially since that day is close to the weekend.

Source: Droid Attic

Rumour:HP TouchPad With 7 Inch Display Launching In August

HP’s first webOS tablet the HP TouchPad goes on sale shortly, the first version comes with a 9.7 inch touchscreen display, but now it seems that HP may be getting ready to launch a 7 inch version as well.

We know that HP has other TouchPad models in the work, and have even heard a rumor of a 7 inch TouchPad before, but now according the Taiwan Economic News, HP has ordered around 400,ooo to 500,000 TouchPad tablets per month from Inventec, and the order is reported to include a 7 inch version of the TouchPad as well as the existing model.

HTC Customer Support Confirms Thunderbolt Gingerbread Update

An email received by a customer regarding the availability of an update to fix long-standing reboot issues has confirmed that HTC plans to roll out an update to fix the issue as well as update the device to Android Gingerbread:

I understand how important it is for your Thunderbolt to function properly and I apologize that you have been experiencing rebooting of the device. HTC and Verizon are aware of this issue and an update will be released soon that will address the reboot issue, and bring the Gingerbread 2.3 upgrade on board, as well as several other enhancements. Although I don’t have an official release date to provide you, this update will be released soon. Please monitor our website for further information as the release date moves closer.

To send a reply to this message or let me know I have successfully answered your question log in to our ContactUs site using your email address and your ticket number xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

The update to Android Gingerbread was previously confirmed earlier in the month via screencaps of Verizon internal documentation, although the update was initially meant to be shipped as a basic maintenance release with the reboot fix which was subsequently leaked and made available.

Android Tablet of Archos Arnova for $99

Archos has just rolled out its new barebones Android tablet the Archos Arnova 7 which has just completed its way through the FCC and is now available to buy for just $99. Archos explains that the Archos Arnova 7 has been developed to bridge the gap between smartphones and the PC, and comes running Froyo 2.2.

The Arnova 7 barebones tablet is equipped with a 7 inch, widescreen resistive touchscreen with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixel. The tablet comes with a number of pre-installed applications ready to use straight out of the box. But you will also provide you with access to free and paid-for applications directly from the AppsLib app store, including games, news, communication and utilities apps.

The Arnova 7 is fitted with an internal 4GB memory for storage, supports mp3, wav, ape, agg and flac audio files and .avi, .mp4, .mkv, .mov, and .flv video files together with H.264 up to 720p resolution – 30 fps / 5 Mbps, MPEG-4 – 30 fps / 2.5 Mbps and Realvideo up to 720p resolution – 30 fps / 2.5 Mbps.

Today’s Mobile News in Brief (June 23, 2011)

As reported here on Cell Phones Etc. and across the Web, here’s your daily brief on what happened in the world of mobile phones this Thursday, June 23rd 2011.

Telus Makes It Simple To Terminate Contracts, Replace Your Feature Phone
Taking a page from its own playbook, Telus Mobility has extended its Clear and Simple Device Upgrade program to the logical conclusion of contract termination. Now, if a customer chooses to cancel their service, they must pay only a $50 administrative fee and the remaining portion of their phone’s subsidy — it could still result in a lot of loonies, but the amount decreases monthly according to a fixed schedule. Similar to Rogers, Telus offers its customers early upgrades by allowing them to pay this unrecovered subsidy and commit to a new contract.
Engadget

Rogers Releases Two Unlimited U.S. Text Message Plans
A couple weeks back Rogers posted a “coming soon” notice on their site regarding a new $10 Unlimited U.S. text message package. Today, this has been released along with a new $50 Unlimited offering. Here are the details: The $10 Unlimited U.S. Roaming Text Messaging Pass gives you Unlimited sent/received texts in States, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The fine print states that this plan “is only valid for 2 days: from 12:00am EST on the purchase date to 11:59pm EST the following day”. The $50 U.S. Roaming Text Messaging Pass allows Unlimited sent/received texts but Rogers says it “expires one month after the date of purchase”.
MobileSyrup

ThinkGeek Now Selling The FastMac U-Socket, The USB Wallplug
Most gadgets charge off USB nowadays so it only makes sense to have a wall outlet with a couple of outlets. ThinkGeek has you covered with the FastMac U-Socket USB Wallplug. The standard 110 volt socket has two 5.0V 2100mA outlets playing wingman. ThinkGeek has them in stock and shipping for just $24.99
CrunchGear

Google Sites Simplifies iOS And Android Viewing With Automatic Mobile Rendering
The search giant just added automatic mobile rendering to make your website more mobile-friendly when viewed on an iOS 3.0 or Android 2.2+ device. A new setting to “Automatically adjust site for mobile phones” can be activated in the site management page, at which point pages designed for desktop viewing will be displayed in a much simpler web format, so readers won’t need to pinch-to-zoom just to see a page’s content. Google also added mobile versions of the site list, sites search, and browse sites categories, for easy access from your smartphone.
Engadget

40% Of European Smartphone Buyers Intend To Buy An iPhone Next
Yankee Group is set to release its European Mobile User Study next month and the research firm has just provided a quick glimpse into its early findings. Reportedly, 40% of European smartphone buyers plan to purchase an iPhone as their next device. 19% plan to purchase an Android powered device, 17% have their eye on a BlackBerry, and 15% plan to buy a Nokia smartphone. “These findings highlight the continued strength of Apple in the European smartphone market and, in particular, its phenomenal brand appeal,” Yankee Group research vice president, Declan Lonergan, said.
BGR

NEC, Alcatel, NSN and Vodafone win at femtocell awards

Infrastructure providers and UK based operator all recognised for their various solutions at London awards ceremony

Infrastructure providers Huawei and NEC Corporation, Alcatel Lucent and Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) as well as Vodafone have all scooped awards at the Femtocell Industry Awards.

The awards were held at an event in London yesterday (June 23) by The Femto Forum, an independent organisation that supports femtocell deployment worldwide.

Femto cells are increasingly being deployed to boost mobile broadband signal, in metropolitan and rural areas as well in peoples homes (pictured).

NEC won the “Social Vision” award which looked to recognise the promotion of femtocells for social, economic and environmental development for its small cell deployment in rural areas.

NEC Europe general manager Anil Kohli said his company was “honoured” to receive the accolade.

“We are honoured to win a coveted Femto Forum Award and continue to be at the forefront of the femtocell industry, developing innovative solutions that enable mobile operators to provide high-quality, premium mobile services for their customers,” Kohli said.

Huawei won the “Progress in Commercial Deployment” award for the rollout of Chinese operator China Unicom’s 3G Inn wireless broadband service which was based on Huawei’s end-to-end femtocell solution.

This rollout currently provides coverage for more than two thirds of China’s 23 provinces.

Huawei president of singleRAN solution Ying Weimin said: “We are proud to be recognized for our Femtocell solution, which helps to extend the mobile broadband experience to enterprises and home users,

“With our partner China Unicom, we have demonstrated our solution’s ability to provide excellent mobile broadband coverage, as well as its effectiveness in improving network capacity and efficiency in seamless operation with existing 3G networks.”

Alcatel Lucent meanwhile picked up the gong for “Non Residential (enterprise, public access and other) Femtocell Access Point Design and Technology Innovation” as well as the award for the “New Service or Technology”.

NSN was recognised for its ongoing femtocell research after it was handed the award for “Contribution to Femtocell Standards.”

Vodafone meanwhile received the “Commercial Deployment Marketing Campaign” and the “Commercial Deployment – Technical Implementation (operator)” awards.

Virgin Mobile Triumph Now Available for Pre-Order from Best Buy

Not long after the release date for the Virgin Mobile Triumph was revealed in the pages of People Magazine this week, Best Buy has listed the phone online and placed it for pre-order at $299.99, equal to the initial pricing of the Samsung Intercept and Curve 8530. While the initial pricing is high, this may mean that the phone will see limited supplies before full production gets underway and is also squarely in the high-end Android smartphone segment with its specifications.

The Triumph was announced earlier this month during a press event in Manhattan alongside the Photon 4G, but the clear winner of the event was the Triumph, with its stock Android build, 4.1 inch display, front facing camera and HDMI output for multimedia sharing on a prepaid carrier, which stunned many, though the first clues of the phone were found in a customer survey issued earlier this year. Full specifications for the Triumph include 2GB of internal storage, 512MB of RAM, 5.0 megapixel camera, A-GPS, WiFi N radio and Qualcomm MSM8655 Snapdragon processor.

Pre-Order the Virgin Mobile Triumph from Best Buy

BlackBerry Bold 9900 preview! (video)

RIM's BlackBerry 9900 is the device that the BlackBerry diehards have been hoping, wishing, and waiting for since the original Bold launched way back in 2008. However, this time around the company has added in a capacitive touchscreen, swapped the trackball of yesteryear for an optical trackpad, and slimmed the whole thing down into a 10.5mm thick package. We were lucky enough to get a prototype device from our friends over at Negri Electronics, and have manhandled the thing till we were blue in the face. Head on past the break for an exclusive preview of the device RIM is praying will stalwart its competitors until the first round of QNX-equipped devices lands in 2012.

BlackBerry Bold 9900 preview!

The Bold 9900 bears a striking resemblance to the original "big Bold" 9000, and fans of that device's large but sturdy form factor will absolutely love the 9900. Gone is the faux-leather back cover, which has been replaced with a slick carbon fiber-esque flat battery door. Interestingly, whereas the entire back of the device could be removed and swapped on the 9000, only the part of the housing that covers the battery itself comes off on the 9900. The carbon fiber midsection is surrounded by soft touch black rubber finishes that taper the outer edge of the device slightly, resulting in a really nice overall form factor.

This Berry's front face is split between a 640 x 480-pixel capacitive touchscreen up top and a full-sized QWERTY keyboard down below. The screen size has been bumped to 2.8-inches from the 2.6-incher on the 9000. The display is bright and vibrant, and boasts superb viewing angles and clarity. As with the Torch 2, touch sensitivity also seems to be quite good, with the screen registering even slight touches on its nearly edge-to-edge surface. Overally, we're quite impressed with the screen on the 9900, as we were with the Torch 2's.

So far as we can tell, the keyboard is the same size as that of the OG Bold, though the buttons seem to be a bit more 'clicky.' It's kind of difficult to explain, but the keyboard feels more firm than mushy -- but that's not necessarily a bad thing. We also noticed that the four main navigation buttons for the BB OS (send, menu, back, end / power) are all flush with the device and backlit, rather than having splits between then. There's also the now ubiquitous trackpad located front and center, and it has a nice white backlighting that helps make it stand out against this BlackBerry's murdered-out facade. When the screen shuts off for standby mode, the trackpad glow rem for an extra few seconds before fading back into darkness.

On the inside, the 9900 boasts a 1.2GHz processor, which is bumped from the 624MHz of the 9780. In fact, we're pretty sure that the guts of the 9900 are identical to those of the Torch 2 -- just crammed into a thinner, non-sliding enclosure. We've known the specs on this bad boy for a while now, but after playing with one for day or so, we're impressed with the real world translation into performance. It's noticeably more snappy than current BlackBerry devices on the market, and the fading transitions of BlackBerry 6.1 OS 7 didn't seem to stutter in regular use. Of course, this is still BETA software -- and from what we've heard, our build is quite a bit older than what's currently on demo devices -- so performance is subject to change.

A five megapixel shooter is located on the backside of the device, but it's been relocated to the upper left corner as opposed to the centered position on the 9000. Again we're convinced that this camera is identical to the one in the Torch 2, which means it's capable of capturing 720p HD video. If you want to see some performance of this shooter, head back to our Torch 2 preview -- what you get on the 9900 isn't vastly different.

BlackBerry 7 OS screenshots

The 9900 will ship with BlackBerry 7 OS, and we won't bore you with the details of this marginal upgrade to the OS. (We went over many of them when we showed you the Torch 2). We will say that the performance improvements we noted on that device seem to have made their way to the 9900, and that many of the mundane tasks that used to bring up the dreaded hourglass of doom no longer do so.

Overall, the 9900 is definitely a sexy slab of circuitry, but we still can't skirt around the fact that RIM has been making the same device for years now. We're glad to see the improved specs and solid hardware, but it doesn't detract from the fact that the OS is virtually unchanged except for some visual flair and new APIs. We're hopeful that despite rumors to the contrary, RIM will be able to get this device out the door during its promised "summer" time frame, and we know it won't be good if it misses that self-imposed deadline. Still, the fact of the matter is that RIM desperately needs to get something radically new out the door as soon as humanly possible, or else users will continue flocking to other platforms. It hopes it has a winner on its hands with the 9900, and while we'll reserve judgment until the thing finally ships to end users, we do think it's yet another step in the right direction.

[Thanks, Ryan]