Nokia has a WiFi video streaming device in the works? (Unlocking Mobile)
Nokia has a WiFi video streaming device in the works?
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Portable Video As a natural followup to their Wireless Audio Gateway AD-42W (pictured), it looks like Nokia might be getting into the video streaming game with a new WiFi device for streaming video from your phone. The rumor comes courtesy of T3, and deets are slim, but we’re sure Nokia can figure out some nifty functionality for such a device if it does turn out to be real. We’d love to see such a unit act as a DVR and prep videos for your phone, but blurry and pointless camphone vids streamed from your Nokia onto the big screen will be nice too. We’re not quite sure we’d be naming this thing a direct iTV competitor, but between this, a Slingbox, a Media Extender, an iPod video loader and an iTV, our TV setup is starting to look more device-laden than our desktop, so we’re thinking something’s gotta give.[Via atmaspheric] Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | CommentsSPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time.
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
Sprint to launch three new MOTOALLCAPS devices
Filed under: Cellphones Just ’cause Verizon is the biggest domestic CDMA carrier in the game doesn’t mean Sprint is just going to let themselves get pushed around when it comes to phone exclusives. Well, at least not all of the time. Sprint is busting out three new Motorola devices this fall, the MOTOKRZR, MOTORAZR and MOTOSLVR, and Sprint will be pushing its broadband content offerings to all of ‘em. Not a lot of deets to be had, other than an “early November” availability — and of course a comprehensive list of all the snazzy content, Telenav GPS service, “Phone as Modem” and Bluetooth capabilities available for the EV-DO phones — but it’s not like there’s a dearth of info on these models. We’re guessing the MOTORAZR of which Sprint speaks is the boring old V3m RAZR that’s been out for VZW for a couple months, while the MOTOSLVR should be the L7c. The MOTOKRZR is of course that K1m hotness that just recently dropped into Verizon’s lineup (Alltel’s too), and it’s good to know Sprint isn’t far behind. Right now all you can do is register for more info on the KRZR release when it comes available, but we’re sure we’ll have plenty of launch info soon, seeing as early November isn’t too incredibly far away. Alternatively, we’ve heard word from those in the know that these three are due on the 23rd of October, which seems to be contradicted by this PR, but we won’t give up hoping. That same source gave us word on a Q1 ’07 release of the Motorola Q, so hopefully that prediction works out a little better. Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | CommentsSPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time.
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
iTunes 7.0.1 points to the iPhone, life moves on
Filed under: CellphonesThrowing an iPhone rumor to the gadget-obsessed is a fair bit like burning paper in a fireplace — sure, things will flare up for a few seconds, but shortly thereafter the flames calm back down again. We recently caught wind of the fact that the new iTunes 7.0.1 update is packed with a bunch of text strings that say things like:” 4301.022″ = ” ^0 was not copied because the video format is not supported by the mobile phone ^1 .”; and so forth, implying that an iPhone is forthcoming. Now remember, we’ve seen similar language embedded in Apple software before, but we’ve yet to see an actual product, although the internet’s Magic 8 Ball as of late seems to be pointing to Macworld Expo 2007. But then again, we’ve heard for months now that our friends in Cupertino are working on such a device, with everyone and everything from analysts to patent filings saying as much; so we’re just hoping that Apple is waiting until it’s good and ready to release it. For all you Apple and iPhone fanboys, take a moment to do a little jig, and then resume your daily routine.Read – iLoungeRead – Mac Rumors Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | CommentsSPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time.
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
LRG limited edition Sidekick 3 surfaces
Filed under: Cellphones T-Mobile promised there’d be at least a couple different limited edition versions of the Sidekick 3 when they announced the phone this past summer, and it looks like one is due out soon. Reader Andy scanned this pic from the November issue of XXL magazine that shows a green version of the SK3 from Lifted Research Group. No word on pricing (or a release date), but T-Mob charged a premium for those limited edition Sidekick II’s, so expect this one to cost at least fifty bucks more than the regular version.[Thanks, Andy] Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | CommentsSPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time.
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
Sprint fumbles, fries Fusics with faulty firmware
Filed under: CellphonesWe hate to see a nifty technology like FOTA (firmware over-the-air) getting such a bad rap early on in the game, but in the same breath, our mommies always told us “measure twice, cut once” — and we think that’s an eminently appropriate adage in the aftermath of Sprint’s recent attempt to re-up Fusics already in the field. It seems the firmware update, pushed just a couple days ago to customers’ handsets, quickly and efficiently bricked each and every one of them. The whole situation is a full order of magnitude more frightening than Nokia’s similar experience with the E70, seeing how Nokia’s update was optional and at least required the user to manually perform the upgrade. Naturally, Sprint’s pulled the bogus firmware and is offering a free replacement to affected customers, but it’s still a shame that they’ve cost Fusic owners a trip to the Sprint Store. Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | CommentsSPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time.
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
Helio announces “Hybrid” 3G / WiFi service
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless A Boingo pass for when you’re near a hotspot, EV-DO for when you’re not. That’s the gist of Helio’s latest product, dubbed “Hybrid” — only their third since launching earlier this year — and the first dedicated to data device from the MVNO (and among the first data devices from any MVNO, so far as we know). Technically, Hybrid is more of a package than an actual device, composed of a rebranded Sierra Wireless Aircard 580, EV-DO service, and WiFi access (provided by Helio pal and Sky Dayton venture Boingo, of course) with Helio’s “Hybrid Connector” software calling the connectivity shots. Though the concept doesn’t seem to go after the same core demographic as the MVNO’s handsets, the $85 package deal could still be a compelling one for folks that maintain separate WiFi and 3G data accounts. Look for Hybrid to be available for a nice, round $0 on two-year contract through Fry’s locations and Helio’s site directly. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | CommentsSPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time.
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
Wibree, Nokia’s new standard, to replace Bluetooth
Filed under: Cellphones, NetworkingWe all love Bluetooth, given that, among other things, it powers our lovely cordless headsets and nicely syncs our Treos with our laptops. But just as we were snuggling into a long-term relationship with this fantastic short-range technology, Nokia has to come out with a new wireless connectivity standard called Wibree (no, not WiBro). Nokia claims that Wibree maintains a data rate of 1Mbps (not as good as Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, which tops out at 2.1Mbps) at a range of up to 30 feet (yes, Class 1 Bluetooth can go up to 100 meters), operates in the 2.4 GHz band, but says that it’s “10 times more energy efficient than Bluetooth,” according to Bob Iannucci, head of Nokia Research Center. Nokia also said that it’s working with Broadcom, CSR, Epson, Nordic Semicondutor and other companies to further develop the standard so that Wibree products can be released by the second quarter of 2007. It seems like Nokia is gambling pretty hard on this Wibree standard, given that the industry and consumers have invested tons of cash in Bluetooth-friendly products already and will no doubt be reluctant to get a whole new set of Wibree-friendly devices. That said, Reuters reports that “Nokia expects devices currently connected by Bluetooth will get a dual Bluetooth-Wibree chip, while devices that are currently not connected will use a Wibree-only chip.” That smells like a huckster’s gambit to us — for all this hoopla about efficient power usage, that extra radio will no doubt draw additional power, which will certainly undermine some of Nokia’s claims.Read – Nokia press releaseRead – Reuters Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | CommentsSPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time.
Source: cellphones.engadget.com
Sony Ericsson and Fossil team up for Bluetooth watch
Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables We’re just not sure what there isn’t to love about Sony Ericsson and Fossil joining forces to bust out sexy Bluetooth watches. The duo’s new MBW-100 effortlessly pulls off that “I’m probably a secret agent, but I don’t need to parade it around” look that we’ve been trying to pull off ever since we can remember, and the watch packs in some useful Bluetooth 2.0 stuff as well. First off, there’s a straight-up analog watch face, which keeps this thing classy, while a small OLED display below helps you manage the Bluetooth functions, shows incoming caller and notifies you of new SMS messages. If receiving a call, you can tap a button to silence the phone ringer, twice to reject the call, while another button handles play/pause and track skipping on your music player. The stainless steel watches will come in the silver color pictured, along with a limited-edition black version, and Sony Ericsson hopes to be shipping these globally Q4 2006 for around 300 Euros ($382 US). Keep reading for a few hugemongous pics and a pre-release user guide snippet we got our hands on.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | CommentsSPONSORED BY: BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time.
Source: cellphones.engadget.com