Posts in Mobile Phones
An Intel-based mobile phone coming soon?
Reuben Lee | Sep 28, 2007
First, there was Google with its free phone buzz. Now it seems Intel might be casting its eye on the lucrative mobile phone market. For now, though, it's keeping mum on its cellular phone plans (if any). But based on what we've seen at the recent Intel Developer Forum (IDF) in San Francisco, the chipmaker may be planning something along that line with its upcoming Silverthorne processor and Menlow platform. The concept phone design, like this model shown here (click here for a larger image), is one of the few prototype devices showcased at IDF that is expected to employ the new chip and platform.
Slated for launch next year, the Silverthorne processor is Intel's new line of 45nm SoC (System-on-a-Chip) offerings that will appear in low-cost and power-efficient devices such as Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) and Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPCs). According to the chipmaker, the Silverthorne chip draws 10x less power than current processor offerings used on UMPCs today. This hopefully translates to much longer battery life for the next generation of mobile computing devices.
Owners of unlocked iPhones hosed by software update
Tom Krazit | Sep 28, 2007
Well, you can't say they didn't warn you.
Apple released an update for the iPhone on Thursday that brings the Wi-Fi Music Store to the device, as well as several security fixes and enhanced features. But, as expected, it also turns iPhones that were unlocked to run on cellular networks other than AT&T's into little more than emergency call boxes.
Macworld reported two iPhones in its office with SIM (subscriber identity module) hacks did not work after the update was installed. A message prompted the phone's owner to install "an unlocked and valid SIM card" before the phone could be completely activated. It's almost like the phone was in the same pre-activation limbo stage that frustrated many iPhone users waiting for activation the first weekend the device went on sale.
Gizmodo is reporting that both the original SIM cards as well as new SIM cards from AT&T won't work in iPhones that had been activated with the original SIM card, then unlocked from the network. That could present a huge problem for iPhone owners who thought they could get around the reactivation process by getting a new AT&T SIM card.
Related links
» Apple patches 10 iPhone flaws» Is Apple in danger of losing its following?
» iPhone hackers say 'relock' on the way
» Readers share their iPhone unlocking
experiences
Did you hack your iPhone, and have you had similar problems after installing the latest update? Let us know.
This post originally appeared on CNET News.com.
SoftBank Mobile launches Star Wars pod racing game
Damian Koh | Sep 28, 2007
We told ya. The best things in life are available only in Japan. This time it’s a Star Wars pod racer game for mobile phones. We can only imagine envious stares on the train while we blast other podders to smithereens. That's looking on the bright side because I think we're just as capable of driving commuters up the wall with our humming. According to Newlaunches.com, folks can either race against the computer or with other buddies.
Picture credit: Newlaunches.com
Fuel cell boost for your mobiles
Reuben Lee | Sep 27, 2007
It's finally here. Fuel cell technology in mobile devices, which has been talked about for the longest time, is finally coming to mobile devices. The first-generation 24/7 Power Pack charger from Medis Technologies promises to extend the talktime on handsets by up to 30 hours, 20 hours for smart phones or as much as 80 hours of playback for MP3 players such as the iPod. While we have yet to get our hands on one of these Power Packs for testing, we can already foresee how this will be useful for those who travel frequently or who just can't get enough yaktime out of their phones.
According to company representatives, the Power Pack activates once its tab is removed. After which, it can be used for up to three months.
It is currently available online at US$24.99 with refill packs going for US$19.99. Medis Technologies will also be offering an optional recycle program (in selected markets) to collect its used fuel cell packs back for refilling. The company has revealed that it plans to introduce a slimmer version of the Power Pack using solid fuel as well as a new model for power-intensive devices such as laptops.
New Dopod slider spotted in China
John Chan | Sep 27, 2007
China-based tech site IT168.com has the deets on the new Dopod C750. This is apparently a rebadged HTC product and is a Windows Mobile 6 Standard smart phone.
While not supported by the accompanying images, the Chinese-language site reports that Dopod is readying a version of the C750 with a VGA display. This will be available in November in China. The slide-out keypad found on the C750 has a layout similar to the BlackBerry Pearl's SureType keyboard. This QWERTY arrangement puts two letters on one key, thereby halving the number of buttons needed to include the whole English alphabet.
HTC has taken over most of Dopod's operations in Asia. The brand still exists in China and the Taiwanese manufacturer's products like the Touch bear the Dopod brand there.
Credit: IT168.com (via Engadget Mobile)
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