Over 1.1 billion Mobile Phones Sold

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…

BlackBerry Pearl 8110

T-Mobile UK and Research In Motion (RIM) has announced the launch of the new BlackBerry Pearl 8110 smartphone in a Blue Slate colour along with a new price plan to entice consumers to the messaging phone.

The new consumer-focused model, which is identical to the model launched on Vodafone last month, will feature a 2 megapixel camera, in-built GPS and quad-band connectivity.  More…

Mobile Phones Custom Made For You

This is one made-to-order device that everyone will love to have: the cellphone. If you are a music lover, why not have a phone which can hold more songs rather than heavy graphics.

Alternatively, if you want a better camera on a handset, why settle for just a 2-megapixel one? Soon, you will be able to order a mobile phone built to your specifications, much like you can assemble a computer or order a custom-made one from Dell or any other PC vendor.   More..

Sony Ericsson G700 and G900 phones

The new G700 and G900 phones are designed to give back time. They place personal organiser features and easy finger-touch control within familiar form factors.

Sony Ericsson today launched a new generation of phone: Touchscreen organisers with a broad appeal. The G700 and G900 phones are essential tools designed to organise the lives of all those with busy schedules to juggle, both at home and at work.

  • The G700 is here to help you live your life to the full. This personal organiser in-your-pocket keeps your contacts, calendars, notes, pictures and favourite Web sites all in one place and just a fingertip away. Touch and go.
  • The G900 has all the functions of the G700 with the added features of a unique new 5.0 megapixel Touch Auto Focus camera, touch photo album and editor. Perfect for those looking for a one-touch media experience combined with their organiser.

Sony Ericsson G700  phone

  • One-touch full organiser functions
  • Touch controlled Notes application - write and draw your memo’s
  • Large 2.4″ display with unique single touch control menu
  • 3,2 megapixel camera
  • Compact size

 sony ericsson G700

Calendar is King
Access your calendar, reach family and friends and scribble and save your notes on your phone. With the G700, you can jot down a note on the screen with a stylus, just as you would with a pen on paper, and save it on your phone’s desktop to remind you - just as you’d stick a note on the fridge. You can even draw a map to the local shop or doodle personal notes to send them to your loved ones! Holding everything that is important to you wherever you go, the G700 is the most natural way to manage life. There’s no longer a need to have your home calendar separate from work – it works with you, the way you do.

Intuitively simple
With the G700 you can enjoy touchscreen text input, Web surfing, calendar and phone navigation. Want to contact someone at home? Just touch the relevant name in your phonebook and all of the various contact options will appear onscreen.  It’s instantly intuitive messaging. You can even browse your photo album using the tip of your finger. The G700 also has dedicated keys for messaging, notes and a key lock on the side of the phone. All it takes is one press to unlock. 

Sony Ericsson G900  phone

  • One touch media experience
  • 5.0 megapixel camera with touch Auto focus and Multi-shot function
  • One- touch media and organiser menu
  • Large 2.4″ display with single touch control menu
  • Wi-Fi™ for high speed data transfer and internet browsing

sony ericsson G900

Print-quality photos to keep
The G900’s 5.0 megapixel camera lets you take print-quality photos and share them with friends and family straight away.

Frame your shot and decide where you want to focus the camera by simply touching the screen. Also, with Camera Multi-Shot, hold down the camera key and take as many pictures as you like. Great for taking photos of your kids as they dash around the garden! Scroll through all of the photos on your phone with touch control and even edit them there with the Touch photo album and editor.

Stay mobile
Got a moment to surf? Access your favourite Web pages when you’re in a Wi-Fi™ hotspot and view them on the large 2.4” display. Use the stylus or your finger to zoom-in or pan around the page. When you’ve barely got a moment to spare, get RSS feeds direct to your phone for the latest updates; news, football scores or whatever you are in to. 

Organize with a personal touch
Touch, type or write… Everything comes naturally with the G900.  Organise your schedule, touch and tap to make calls and jot down notes before you forget it. The G900 works your way to let you get more into your day.  It’s the power of personal touch.

The Sony Ericsson G700 and G900  Specfications

G700 G900
Camera 3.2 megapixel camera
3x digital zoom
Fixed focus
Image stabilizer
Photo fix
Photo light
Picture blogging
Video light
Video recording
Video stabilizer
5 megapixel camera
3x digital zoom
Auto focus
Image stabilizer
Photo fix
Photo light
Picture blogging
Video light
Video recording
Video stabilizer
Music/Entertainment Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
Media player
Mega Bass™
Music tones (MP3/AAC)
PlayNow™
TrackID™
3D games
FM radio with RDS
Java
Video streaming
Video viewing
Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
Media player
Mega Bass™
Music tones (MP3/AAC)
PlayNow™
TrackID
3D games
FM radio with RDS
Java
Video streaming
Video viewing
Web/Internet Opera™ Web browser
RSS feeds
Opera™ Web browser
RSS feeds
Communication & Messaging Polyphonic ringtones
Speakerphone
Vibrating alert
Video calling
Push Email, Exchange Active Sync
Picture messaging (MMS)
Predictive text input
Sound recorder
Text messaging (SMS)
Polyphonic ringtones
Speakerphone
Vibrating alert
Video calling
Push Email, Exchange Active Sync
Picture messaging (MMS)
Predictive text input
Sound recorder
Text messaging (SMS)
Design Navigation key
Picture wallpaper
Touchscreen
Navigation key
Picture wallpaper
Touchscreen
Connectivity Bluetooth™ technology
Modem
Synchronization
USB mass storage
USB charging
Bluetooth™ technology
Modem
Synchronization
USB mass storage
USB charging
Wi-FiTM 802.11 b/g
Organizer Alarm clock
Calculator
Calendar
Document editors
Document readers
Flight mode
Handwriting recognition
Notes
Phone book
Stopwatch
Symbian™ OS
Tasks
Timer
Alarm clock
Calculator
Calendar
Document editors
Document readers
Flight mode
Handwriting recognition
Notes
Phone book
Stopwatch
Symbian™ OS
Tasks
Timer
Business card scanner
Accessories In-Box:

  • Battery
  • Charger
  • USB cable
  • Stereo Portable Handsfree
  • Sony Ericsson PC Suite
  • Media Manager software
  • 2 stylus
  • User guide

Optional:

  • Bluetooth™ Headset HBH-PV703

Go wireless with a powerful headset.

  • GPS-Enabler HGE-100

Get more from your phone – add GPS technology. Know where you are, where you’re going and how to get there.

  • Bluetooth™ Car Speakerphone HCB-150

High performance car handsfree with text to speech for convenient calls on the road.

In-Box:

  • Battery
  • Charger
  • USB Cable
  • Stereo Portable Handsfree
  • Sony Ericsson PC Suite
  • Media Manager software
  • 2 stylus
  • User guide

Optional:

  • Bluetooth™ Headset HBH-PV708
  • A powerful wireless handsfree available in chrome or rose for everyday wear.
  • GPS-Enabler HGE-100

Get more from your phone – add GPS technology. Know where you are, where you’re going and how to get there.

  • Bluetooth™ Car Speakerphone HCB-150

High performance car handsfree with text to speech for convenient calls on the road.

Facts and Figures 1)2) Size: 106 x 49 x 13mm
Weight: 99 grams

Colours:
Silk Bronze
Screen: 262,144 colour TFT
Resolution: 240 x 320 pixels
Size (diagonal): 2.4 inches
                                                 
Phone memory: Up to 160MB
Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™) support

Talk time (GSM/GPRS): Up to 12 hrs
Standby time (GSM/GPRS): Up to 380 hrs
                                       
Talk time (UMTS): Up to 4 hrs
Standby time (UMTS): Up to 380 hrs
Video call time: Up to 2.5 hrs

Size: 106 x 49 x 13 mm
Weight: 99 grams

Colours:
Dark Red
Dark Brown

Screen: 262,144 colour TFT
Resolution: 240 x 320 pixels
Size: 2.4 inches

Phone memory: Up to 160MB
Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™) support

Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 12 hrs
Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 380 hrs

Talk time (UMTS): Up to 4 hrs
Standby time UMTS: Up to 380 hrs
Video call time: 2.5 hrs

Availability and versions Networks:
UMTS 2100

GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900

Available in selected markets from Q2 2008.

Networks:
UMTS 2100

GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900

Available in selected markets from Q2 2008.

More…

New Nokia N96

Mobile World Congress The eagerly-awaited successor to the the popular N95 was at last unveiled in Barcelona this morning. Details of the Nokia N96 - the latest addition to Nokia’s smartphone range - were leaked before the weekend, and they weren’t far wrong.

The dual-slide handset sports a 2.8in display, 16GB of internal memory that can be further expanded with an optional Micro SDHC card - like the new Nokia 8GB Micro SDHC card.

Nokia N96

N96: Nokia says it’s more of a “multimedia computer” than a mobile

The N96 also offers a DVB-H TV tuner for live TV broadcasting in select markets and it supports most common video formats including MPEG 4, Windows Media Video and Flash Video. And the handset features a “kickstand” on the back that allows the device to stand alone for hands-free viewing.

Nokia N96

Hands-free viewing

It also features media keys, a 3.5mm headphone connector and built-in 3D stereo speakers plus the Nokia Maps application with Assisted GPS, a five-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, flash and video light and video capture. It has Wi-Fi and HSDPA connectivity. More..

The N96 is expected to begin shipping in the third quarter of 2008 with an estimated pre-tax sales price of approximately €550.

Nokia N78

Nokia announced the N78 handset, designed to take advantage of the new Ovi suite of Nokia services. It features A-GPS, with free Nokia Maps, Wi-Fi and 3G HSPDA connectivity, a 3.2-megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, and support for Micro SD memory card, currently available up to 8GB in capacity.

nokian78.jpeg

According to Nokia, the “novelty” features of the N78 include the geographical tagging of photos and an integrated FM transmitter that allows music to be played on any FM radio, in a car or at home.

The N78 is expected to be available during the second quarter of this year, with an estimated pre-tax retail price of around €350

5.0 Megapixel Camera on all Mobile Phones

Kodak has defied all present expectations of mobile phone cameras by proposing their idea of a 5.0 megapixel camera onto a mobile phone.

The Eastman Kodak Company is certain that their new 1.4 micron sensor will have the ability to be put into some of the cheapest phones and plans to flaunt this fact at the Mobile World Congress later next week.

Kodak

Combined with CMOS technology as well as Kodak’s own Color Filter Pattern (sic) technology, the KAC-05020 image sensor will produce excellent looking pictures even in poor lighting. Kodak says that this makes the 1.4 micron KAC-05020 better than 1.75 micron pixel CMOS image sensors.  More..

Mobiles donse cause brain cancer

Mobile phone use does not raise the risk of brain tumours, a Japanese study suggests. The research is the first to look at the effects of hand set radiation levels on different parts of the brain.

Tokyo Women’s Medical University found no increased risk of the three main types of brain cancer among regular mobile phone users.  More…

3G HSDPA phone ‘Shine LG-CU720′ in USA

LG Electronics launched its 3G HSDPA phone ‘Shine LG-CU720′ in US market through AT&T, which features a compact jog wheel and Bluetooth connectivity.

Uses can download a 4MB mp3 music file in 8 seconds thanks to 3.6Mbps HSDPA support.

Cellular technology WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM
Band / mode WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Weight 4.2 oz
Wireless Interface Bluetooth (A2DP)
Color Black
Standby time Up to 240 h
Included accessories Battery, Compact wall charger
Combined with With digital camera / digital player
Phone
Service provider AT&T
Vibrating Alert Yes
Voice Recorder Yes
Speakerphone Yes
Polyphonic Ringer Yes
Alarm Clock Yes
Calendar Yes
Additional Features microSD card slot, 2.5 mm headset jack
Messaging / Data Services
Voice Mail Capability Yes
Short Messaging Service (SMS) Yes
Internet Browser Yes
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Yes
JAVA applications Yes
Messaging / Data Features Text messages, Multimedia messages (MMS)
Messaging Services MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger Service (AIM)
Digital Player / Recorder
Digital player supported digital audio standards AAC, MP3, WAV
Digital player/recorder type Digital player
Display
Display Type LCD display
Diagonal Size 2.2 in
Display Resolution 240 x 320 pixels
Color Support Color
Color Depth 18-bit (262000 Colors)
Power
Battery installed Lithium ion
Talk time Up to 180 min
Audible Battery Alert Yes
Cellular
Phone style Slider
Automatic Redial Yes
Call Divert Yes
Call Barring Yes
Call Timer Yes
Caller ID Yes
Call Waiting Yes
Volume Control Yes
Ringer Control Yes
Conference Call Capability Yes
Computer Link Yes
Physical Characteristics
Width 2 in
Depth 0.6 in
Height 3.9 in
Antenna Integrated
Warranty
Service / Support 1 year limited warranty

LG
specifications - LG CU720 Shine

 

Mobile phone sector in Bangladesh

CONVENTIONAL wisdom says developing competition in services markets by encouraging private sector participation (both local and foreign) brings large gains for consumers. The gains come in different forms, such as reduced service charge, improved service quality, variety of services and easy access to service. Liberalisation of the telecom sector has been especially welcomed by users because of the supply side constraints in the telecom sector. Moreover, the advent of mobile phone technology, with its unique features of 24 hour availability and instant access, created a huge demand for it.

Although liberalisation of the telecom sector was done in the belief that it would bring benefit to the consumers in terms of cheaper price and better quality of service, that has not always been the case. Contrary to conventional belief, telecom liberalisation resulted in negative consequences for some users in some cases. Liberalisation (especially fixed line telephone) sometimes causes higher prices for customers due to tariff rebalancing and result in reduced access.

In tariff rebalancing, long distance prices fall while (to maintain rates of return) line rentals (and often local call charges also) increase. For instance, in Australia, line rentals increased by 47% after liberalisation (during 1998-2000). In the Northern Territory of Australia, connection to the fixed network had dropped by 2.3 percent after liberalisation. Service standards had also fallen. Similarly, consumers could not reap the benefits of liberalisation (such as lower price) in the UK during 1984-1990 as competition was restricted between the British Telecom (BT) and the new entrant MERCURY (which was licensed to compete with the BT in some segments), and the liberalisation was partial. In 1991, duopoly policy was ended and entrance of new firms was allowed, resulting in intense competition and significant fall in prices, and more than 50% reduction in telephone fees.  More…