BT signals its return to the mobile market with the launch of a smart-phone as part of its £23.99 per month broadband deal

BT Group has dived back into the mobile market with an offering squarely aimed at the BlackBerry and the iPhone.

Like the popular smartphones from RIM and Apple, the so-called BT ToGo allows customers to browse the internet and make calls. But BT’s device automatically switches between the internet and its mobile network depending on where the user is.

The ToGo, which is part of the group’s new broadband package, BT Total Broadband Anywhere, runs off BT’s home hub broadband inside the home, while using the group’s WiFi zones and its mobile network - which it hires from Vodafone - when out and about. Customers get unlimited internet access at home or within one of BT’s 2,500 WiFi zones and 82,000 BT FON WiFi hotspots, plus a limited number of free mobile minutes and texts and a 10 megabyte monthly limit on downloads when using BT’s mobile network.

Made by Taiwanese manufacturer HTC, the ToGo also allows users to make cheap VoIP (voice over internet protocol) calls and connects to the internet at broadband speeds.  More…

Sony Ericsson today introduced two new HSDPA phones into its line-up; each clearly designed to take its range of web-enabled phones in a different direction. The Z780 expands the company’s range of devices for markets outside of Europe and the compact G502 brings the power of the web to a mainstream audience.

“These two phones are quite distinct, yet both have the potential to introduce more users to the world of web on your mobile,” said Martin Winkler, director of global marketing and head of multimedia web at Sony Ericsson. “Being able to check your email whenever you like or surf the web when on-the-move should not just be the preserve of professionals. The Z780 and the G502 will appeal to anyone juggling a busy life”.  More

The new Sony Ericsson G502 is the latest in an established line of classic Sony Ericsson phones that cram a wealth of time-saving features into an affordable, pocket-sized phone.

The G502 is the first such model, however, to feature high-speed HSDPA capability. This means that more users can now benefit from faster browsing and downloading capabilities in a phone that has a feature-set that is impressive and incredibly easy to use – perfect for those who want to stay in control of their lives.

G502 Specifications

Email freedom

Access your webmail and secure POP3/IMAP client email accounts from your phone. For complete mobility, G502 supports Exchange ActiveSync®.

News updates - on your screen

Get the latest news from your favorite Web sites sent to your phone. The RSS desktop widgets bring the updates straight to your phone screen.

And here’s the weather

Sunscreen or raincoat? G502 knows. Your phone has a weather application which provides you with 3-day weather forecasts – no matter where you are.

Screen

- 240×320 pixel
- 262.144 color TFT

Memory

- Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™) support
- Phone memory 32MB*
* Actual free memory may vary due to phone pre-configuration.

Networks

- GSM 900
- GSM 1800
- GSM 1900
- UMTS 2100
- HSDPA 2100

Available colours

- Champagne Black - Brilliant HazelPossible limited market availability.

Sizes

- 109.0 x 46.0 x 13.5 mm
- 4.3 x 1.8 x 0.5 inches

Weight

- 83.5 gr
- 2.9 oz
Please note that local variations may apply.

Screen

- 240×320 pixel
- 262.144 color TFT

Memory

- Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™) support
- Phone memory 32MB*
* Actual free memory may vary due to phone pre-configuration.

Networks

- GSM 900
- GSM 1800
- GSM 1900
- UMTS 2100
- HSDPA 2100

Available colours

- Champagne Black - Brilliant HazelPossible limited market availability.

Sizes

- 109.0 x 46.0 x 13.5 mm
- 4.3 x 1.8 x 0.5 inches

Weight

- 83.5 gr
- 2.9 oz
Please note that local variations may apply.

The Sony Ericsson Z780, a sister product to the recently announced Z770, is set to broaden the range of web-enabled phones into more markets across the globe. It packs tri-band 3G and HSDPA into its stylish clamshell frame, letting you receive email or browse the web at high speed in countries across the world. It also introduces built-in aGPS, giving users the opportunity to carry their navigation solution with them on their phone.

Z780a Specifications

Know your way

Maps, turn-by-turn directions, info on nearby services - no matter where you are, location-based services are always in the palm of your hand.

Email on the move

Email freedom everywhere you go - your Z780a gives you access to your webmail and secure POP3/IMAP client email accounts.

A complete Web experience

HSDPA brings you the high capacity connectivity you need. And to complete your Web experience, have Web feeds and news appear on your phone’s desktop.

Screen

- 320×240
- 262.144 color TFT

Memory

- Monochrome

Memory

- Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™) support
* Actual free memory may vary due to phone pre-configuration.

Networks

- EDGE
- GSM 850
- GSM 900
- GSM 1800
- GSM 1900
- HSDPA

Available colours

- Amethyst Silver - Grand OnyxPossible limited market availability.

Sizes

- 95.0 x 48.0 x 17.0 mm
- 3.7 x 1.9 x 0.7 inches

Weight

- 96.0 gr
- 3.4 oz

More

What we have here is supposedly Sony Ericsson’s next big thing. Apparently, it’s the P5 model, which is also known as “Paris.” From what we know, the upcoming device should have the slider form factor, sporting the P1 or M600 like keyboard under the screen. In addition, the widgetized homepage makes us think it will run the recently announced UIQ 3.3 and we’re also keeping our fingers crossed for the built-in GPS.

Nothing is confirmed and as always (until the official announcement) the Swedish-Japanese handset maker is quiet.   More… 

The use of mobiles on planes flying in European airspace has been given approval by UK regulator Ofcom.It has issued plans that will allow airlines to offer mobile services on UK-registered aircraft.  The decision means that mobiles could be used once a plane has reached an altitude of 3,000m or more. But airlines keen to offer the services must still satisfy other regulators about how the hardware will be used. 

Service charge

Ofcom’s decision comes out of a consultation exercise that began in October 2007.

The decision to offer the services now falls to individual airlines. However, there are other regulatory hurdles to overcome before the technology is considered to be fully approved.

The European Aviation Safety Agency needs to approve any hardware that would be installed in aircraft to ensure that it did not interfere with other flight systems. More

Samsung is on a roll in India. After signing up Bollywood star Aamir Khan as its brand ambassador and being in the headlines for the last whole week over comments and counter comments, Samsung has announced an array of new mobile phones. 

Samsung launched five stylish and latest mobile phones, SGH-i450, SGH-G800, i550, D880 and J210. Priced at Rs. 21,799 is the Samsung SGH G800 which sports a 5 mega pixel camera with 3x optimcal zoom. The Samsung i550 has in-built GPS receiver, 3 mega pixel camera, Symbian OS and is priced at Rs.25000 (approximately $625).

The Samsung D880 has a built-in Stereo FM radio, 3.2 mega pixel camera, dual GSM SIM, 2.3 inch LCD screen and priced at less than Rs.14000. One more cell phone in the price range is the new Samsung SGH-i450 at Rs.15000 which provides a great sound quality. The cheapest in the line of new mobile phones is the Samsung J210 at just Rs. 6649 with a 2 mega pixel camera, bluetooth music streaming and FM recording.  More…

Soon mobile phones would replace the physical airline ticket. Passengers would just be required to flash their mobile phone and gain access to the terminal building and speedily finish boarding procedures thereafter. For the airports, it would mean efficient boarding and handling more number of passengers.Siemens Airport Systems Laboratory in Bangalore is working out a technology which would replace the physical boarding pass.  More…

Sony Ericsson T303, an attractive phone that is small and neat enough to carry with you on every occasion. This compact slider phone has been given the high-end treatment, with a mirrored screen, metal housing and chrome finish. The stylish new T303 slider phone furthers Sony Ericsson’s commitment to broaden its appeal to a wider audience.  More…

T303 Features

Music and Entertainment
• TrackID™
• FM Radio
• Media player
• Music tones (MP3)
• Java

Camera
• 1.3 megapixel camera
• 4x digital zoom

Internet
• WAP 2.0 XHTML

Communication & Messaging
• Polyphonic ringtones
• Speakerphone
• Vibrating alert
• Picture messaging (MMS)
• Predictive text input
• Sound recorder
• Text messaging (SMS)

Design
• Navigation key
• Picture wallpaper
• Wallpaper animation

Organiser
• Alarm clock
• Calculator
• Calendar
• Notes
• Phone book
• Stopwatch
• Tasks
• Timer
• Bluetooth™ technology
• USB mass storage
• USB support

Accessories
In-Box:
• Stereo Headset
• Battery
• Charger
• User guide

Optional:
• Portable Handsfree HPM-64
• Move to the beat with a classic in-ear design

• Micro Travel Charger CMT-60
• Easy charging when travelling

• Bluetooth™ Headset HBH-PV703
• Go wireless with a powerful headset

•Facts and Figures
• Size: 83 x 47 x 14.7 mm
• Weight: 93 grams

• Colours: Shimmering Silver/Shadow Black

• Main screen: 65,536 colour TFT
• Resolution: 128 x 160 pixels
• Size: 1.8 inches

• Phone memory: Up to 8 MB
• Talk time GSM: Up to 9 hrs
• Standby time GSM: Up to 400 hrs

Availability and Versions
Networks:
• T303/T303c – GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900
• T303a – GSM/GPRS 850/1800/1900

Worldwide sales of mobile phones surpassed 1.15 billion units in 2007, according to market research firm Gartner. The company also said that three new companies entered the top ten in sales for the first time including Apple with its iPhone.

Apple was joined in the top ten by ZTE and Research in Motion with its popular BlackBerry device.

Nokia is leading the way in mobile phone sales with a 37.8 percent market share, followed by Motorola (14.3 percent), Samsung (13.4 percent), Sony Ericsson (8.8 percent) and LG (6.8 percent). Total worldwide phone sales increased by 16 percent from 2006, according to Gartner.

While 2007 was a good year for mobile phone-makers, the same does not hold true for 2008’s outlook. “After another strong year, we expect the growth in sales of mobile devices to end users will decelerate in 2008 and fall to about 10 per cent growth as mature markets become more saturated,” said Carolina Milanesi, research director for mobile devices at Gartner.

Apple introduced the iPhone last June and has sold over 4 million units since, including 2.3 million units in the last quarter alone.

More…