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If you have a cell phone (and we’re pretty sure you do), have you thought about giving up your land line (a.k.a. a traditional phone that plugs into the wall)? Maybe you’ve already ditched your old talker. If you haven’t, consider how much you spend on your cell phone plan versus your land line. If you’re like us, you’ve either totally given up on a wired line to your home, or the bills from your cell provider make those wired bills look somewhat paltry. As it turns out, we’re not alone — according to recent government data, U.S. household spending on cell phone plans will for the first time in 2007.

Last year households spent on average $542 on their land lines, while dropping $524 on cell phone plans. Given the increase in extra services  video messaging, music purchases) available on the shiny new iPhones and BlackBerry we write about nearly every day, it’s no surprise that this year cell phone spending will top land line spending by a wide margin.

Samsung Electronics has completed development of the world’s first CDMA2000 1X mobile phone (model: SCH-X590) with color display and embedded charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. Building the camera into the phone makes it easier to use than having an external camera attached. The phone not only takes high-quality pictures but also can then transmit those images wirelessly.

The embedded digital camera can rotate 180 degrees to conveniently take pictures from any angle. It comes with a 4-power zoom lens and has 20 different aperture settings to capture the best quality images. The SCH-X590 can store up to 100 photos in its memory, and the multi-display function allows the user to search through the image archive as many as six at a time. The stored images can also be posted in the display background. A mobile phone with color display and embedded camera has many uses. People no longer have to keep an emergency camera in their automobile to record the details of an accident. Pictures can be taken freely during ones travels or at some major event and then sent immediately to friends or colleagues. The SCH-X590 has all the standard features of a high-end mobile phone. These include a 40-chord progression polyphonic ring tone and support for online multimedia services (NATE). The Korea Standards Association selected the SCH-X590 for its 2002 Technology Frontier Award on April 18. The selection was based on the innovative technology, high quality, competitiveness and convenience of the product. Samsung Electronics unveiled Korea’s first mobile phone with external digital camera (300,000 pixels) in February of this year.

By now introducing a model with embedded camera, the company is well positioned to lead the camera phone market. Moreover, Samsung is scheduled to unveil additional breakthrough mobile phone products next month. These include a folder model with color screen and built-in camera that can rotate 360 degrees and a synchronous IMT-2000 model that can display motion pictures on a color TFT-LCD with a color gamut of 260,000. The latter product can be used to transmit live images of the speaker’s face during conversations. The new mobile phones with color display and embedded camera will retail for around 500,000 in Korea.

IRVING, TEXAS Nokia (NYSE: NOK) today announced that it has begun shipments of the Nokia 6370 wireless phone, Nokia’s first handset designed to take advantage of new CDMA2000 1X networks. Leap Wireless International, Inc (NASDAQ: LWIN), which offers Cricket, its unlimited local wireless service, in 40 markets, is the first wireless carrier to market the Nokia 6370 phone.”Nokia and Leap have worked together to bring comfortable wireless communications to our Cricket customers for more than two years,” said Don McGuire, Leap’s vice president of sales and marketing. “We are excited to continue working with Nokia to offer CDMA2000 1X handsets in our 1X markets.

By leveraging 1X technology, we can cost effectively increase voice capacity for our flat-rate, all-you-can-talk Cricket service while offering feature-rich state-of-the-art handsets like the Nokia 6370 phone that appeal to our customers.”Based on Nokia’s own CDMA2000 1X chipset, the Nokia 6370 phone offers CDMA carriers the opportunity to realize the benefits of their new CDMA2000 1X voice networks. With a full complement of features, including 2-way text messaging and downloadable ring tones, the Nokia 6370 phone is designed for the user who wants the latest technology in a classic form factor. A large phonebook holding up to 500 contacts with multiple entry fields and an extensive calendar and to-do list allows Nokia 6370 phone owners to keep important information in the palm of their hand. Despite the powerful new features of the Nokia 6370 phone, previous Nokia users will find that the familiar menu structure and keypad layout makes learning how to access the new functionality quick and easy.

Additionally, users upgrading from Nokia 5100 and 6100 series phones will find that most of their existing accessories, including car kits, charging stands and travel chargers, will also work with the new Nokia 6370 phone.

Paris and Kuala Lumpur, August 3, 2002 - Alcatel (Paris: CGEP.PA and NYSE:ALA) announced yesterday that it has conducted the first voice, data and video communications on the end-to-end UMTS trial system installed in Kuala Lumpur by Alcatel. For the very first time in

Malaysia, a UMTS infrastructure network carries not only voice communications in circuit mode but also allows the transfer of data and high-speed video images in packet mode, in full compliance with W-CDMA 3GPP standards.

 These calls were demonstrated to the media in

Kuala Lumpur today. Numerous tests have confirmed the Alcatel Evolium(TM) UMTS infrastructure’s quality in the area of high-speed data and video transfers. Whether for videophony calls between two 3G handsets, urfing the Internet (Web Browsing), having on-line access to information, images or videos (Video Streaming and Downloading), or for transmitting video images from a remote Webcam. The Alcatel 3G/UMTS pilot network provides data rates of up to 384 kbit/s.

Alcatel installed in Kuala Lumpur its complete Evolium(TM) solution including the UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) radio systems, the Core network; as well as the associated Radio Network Controller (RNC) and a dedicated Application Service platform. The radio systems, which include the UMTS base stations (Node B) are developed and produced by Evoium SAS, the joint venture between Alcatel and Fujitsu. “In 2000, Alcatel provided

Malaysia with the first end-to-end GPRS solution.

Today, we are proud to bring the real 3G age to Malaysia by conducting the first mobile multimedia call here, said John Quaeyhaegens, Country Senior Officer of Alcatel

Malaysia. 3G offers great potential for end-users because of the high bandwidths available for wireless multimedia applications in addition to voice calls. Today’s call proves that Alcatel is the only vendor to have 3G networks already operational, which can support the full range of 3G applications.”  

Cell phone heavyweight Qualcomm plans to put Wi-Fi capabilities into tens of millions of mobile phone chips, a Qualcomm spokesman said Monday.Qualcomm, which licenses mobile phone designs to manufacturers and makes chipsets, is the latest company to begin merging cell phones with the Wi-Fi wireless networks, which create a wireless network extending about 300 feet.

But it is still undecided as to just when the company will finish development work and ship the first chips, the spokesman said. Qualcomm declined to comment further on its plans for the new chips. Analysts say Qualcomm intends to begin designing and selling cellular phone chips with Wi-Fi inside to keep pace with the rest of the wireless industry, which is already selling such hybrid devices.

The wireless industry, considers Wi-Fi a way to augment cell phone networks. Because Wi-Fi networks can also ferry voice calls, these networks could be used in the future to improve cell phone reception in buildings, where cellular coverage is traditionally poor. Wi-Fi could also be used as a way for carriers, for now, to meet the hype of so-called 3G, or third-generation, wireless Web networks. The carriers are promising a wireless networks capable of speeds that make it easy to download music on a cell phone, among other features. Downloading anything of any size to a cell phone or PDA (personal digital assistant) is a real task.

That’s where Wi-Fi comes in. It could be used to do the “heavy lifting”, according to Cahners In-Stat analyst Allen Nogee. For instance, a cell phone able to access a Wi-Fi network could use Wi-Fi to download a huge document to a personal computer, which has more computing power than a cell phone, for example.” There is some very real potential to offloading some of the voice calls onto Wi-Fi,” said Keith Waryas, a wireless analyst with IDC.

Devicescape Software is working with Nokia to make its software available on selected Wi-Fi enabled Nokia devices. The Devicescape Connect software, now available via the Nokia Download! application makes Wi-Fi access effortless for users at home or while mobile. Once set up, Devicescape enables automatic connections to Wi-Fi allowing users to quickly and easily access their favorite internet applications at homes and Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide.

Devicescape eliminates the need to launch a browser to enter user names and passwords on your Nokia device. Your user name and password are entered just once and stored on a secure server and, after that, Devicescape enables you to connect to any supported network within range. “The Devicescape solution is ideal for Nokia Nseries multimedia computer or Internet Tablet owners,” said said Dave Fraser, Chief Executive Officer of Devicescape. “These customers want fast access to the great internet services that Nokia devices enable including e-mail, VoIP, maps, music, video, or online games.

Now, with Devicescape they can have automatic access to Wi-Fi, improving and expanding their experience with their favorite services.” Nokia N95 multimedia computer owners in the U.K. and the U.S. can find Devicescape under “Easy WiFi” in the Download! application on their device. Nokia Internet Tablet owners can also find an optimized version of Devicescape in the Nokia Tableteer Folder.

Devicescape works around the world by supporting more than 300 public networks including the largest carriers in the world such as T-Mobile, British Telecom, EarthLink and municipal and free networks too. In addition, consumers can expand their Wi-Fi coverage by adding more hotspots and networks, including their home network, by visiting Devicescape’s at There they can also selectively and securely share their home and other personal networks with friends and family.

The stunning Nokia N95 8GB made its debut global shipments today, and will be hitting a store near you soon. The Nokia N95 8GB is the memory-packed big brother of the Nokia N95 multimedia computer. Full specification below. “Our Nokia Nseries family has expanded with added pizzazz and performance with the Nokia N95 8GB, a device as personal as it is powerful,” said Jonas Geust, vice president, Multimedia, at Nokia. “We’ve reached a pinnacle with the Nokia N95 and now with the addition of one of the largest ever displays, built-in Assisted-GPS and improved battery power, the Nokia N95 8GB takes entertainment enjoyment to another level.”Boasting up to eight gigabytes of built-in memory, the Nokia N95 8GB has all the key features of its predecessor, including a 5 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, built-in A-GPS, WLAN, HSDPA and an innovative 2-way slide.

The sleek black N95 8GB also boasts a luminous 2.8″ (240 x 320) QVGA display, so watching videos, browsing the Internet or viewing maps is a real pleasure. With its expanded memory, the N95 8GB offers up to 20 hours of video or up to 6000 songs*.The N95 8GB multimedia computer has an estimated retail price of EUR 560 before taxes or subsidies.

Operating Frequency

WCDMA 2100 + E850/900/1800/1900MHz
Automatic switching between bands and modes

Dimensions

Volume: 96 cc
Weight: 128 g
Length(max): 99 mm
Width(max): 53 mm
Thickness(max): 21 mm

Memory Functions

Up to 100MB internal dynamic memory for messages, ringing tones, images, video clips, calendar notes, to-do list and applications.
Up to 8GB internal flash memory for multimedia content such as music, pictures, ringing tones, map data.

Sharp has successfully developed a new System LCD equipped with touch screen and scanner functions. An optical sensor is built into each pixel of the LCD panel, eliminating the need to bond a film to the panel for touch screen functions, and providing beautiful images without losing display image quality.

Today, touch screen functions are becoming indispensable on displays for mobile devices such as smartphones, digital cameras, PDAs and UMPCs. However, conventional methods to provide such functions mainly involve laminating or bonding a film on top of the LCD panel, leading to problems with reduced display image quality and increased thickness for the display section.

In this light, Sharp developed its proprietary System LCD technology to successfully embed an optical sensor used in devices like scanners in each pixel of the LCD panel. This technology eliminates the need for films, resulting in a thinner, beautifully clear screen display compared to conventional touch screens. In addition, tactile recognition based on simultaneously touching multiple points on the screen is now possible, a feature previously difficult to implement.

For example, users can easily tap the screen with two fingers to enlarge or reduce a displayed map. Also, the scanner function can be used to scan in a business card placed on top of the screen, and further improvements to this function are expected to enable fingerprint authentication in the future. Sample shipments will begin in September of this year, with volume production slated to start next spring. As a leading LCD company, Sharp will continue to develop new proprietary LCD technologies in the small and medium-sized LCD field as well as in the area of large-screen LCDs for TVs, and will be contributing to further advances in mobile devices in the future.

The UK’s big five mobile phone firms have switched on a payment system that turns handsets into digital wallets. Called PayForIt, the scheme is designed for those buying goods and services with a value of up to £10. The industry hopes it will be used to pay for ringtones, train tickets, parking fees and eventually as a payment system on web shops and sites. Any cash spent via the scheme will automatically be added on to a customer’s phone bill. Cash crunch The scheme standardises the way phones can be used to make payments so the process is the same no matter which operator a customer has signed up for or which handset they are using.

Mike Short, chairman of the Mobile Data Association, said PayForIt had been developed as an alternative to other systems such as premium rate SMS. Many people, said Mr Short, were unhappy using that payment system because of past uncertainty about how much they would pay and who they turn to if things go wrong. “It’s for those customers who have not felt comfortable with mobile transactions or payments,” he said. Trust in mobile payments would be boosted, said Mr Short because shoppers will know who they are buying from and what they are spending.

Anyone paying for goods with PayForIt will see an information screen that lays out what they have bought, who it has been bought from and how much it will cost. “It’s about opening up the micro payment choices,” said Mr Short, “but it’s not a total cash replacement.” PayForIt will appear as a payment option on sites that people can get to via their handset and soon will also appear as a way to pay on websites too, said Mr Short. Companies such as I-play, Gameloft, EA, Multimap, SonyEricsson and Samsung have become the first to sign up and let people pay using the PayForIt system.

PayForIt was first announced in March 2006 and the official start date for the scheme was 1 September. “Most big brands would not use premium rate SMS to run their services, it’s not a good experience, it’s not consumer friendly,” said Anuj Khanna, a spokesman for Tanla Mobile which is one of the firms administering payments made via PayForIt.

iPhone combines three devices into one: a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod, and the best mobile Internet device ever, all based on Apple’s revolutionary multi-touch interface and pioneering software that allows users to control iPhone with just a tap, flick or pinch of their fingers. Apple sold its one millionth iPhone just 74 days after it went on sale in the US on June 29. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with O2 to offer our revolutionary iPhone to UK customers,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “US iPhone customer satisfaction is off the charts, and we can’t wait to let UK customers get their hands on it and learn what they think of it.”

“Our strategy at O2 is to bring our customers the best products and experiences,” said Matthew Key, CEO, O2 UK. “The iPhone is a breakthrough that is changing the way people use their mobiles forever, and we’re thrilled to have it exclusively for O2 customers in the UK.” iPhone users in the UK will be able to activate their new iPhones using Apple’s popular iTunes software running on a PC or Mac computer in the comfort and privacy of their own home or office, without having to wait in a store while their phone is activated.

Activating iPhone takes only minutes as iTunes guides the user through simple steps to choose their tariff, undertake a credit check and activate their iPhone. Once iPhone is activated, users can then easily sync all of their phone numbers and other contact information, calendars, email accounts, web browser bookmarks, music, photos, podcasts and TV shows just like they do when they sync their iPods with iTunes.

In addition to all the revolutionary features that made iPhone so popular in the US, iPhone users in the UK will have access to Apple’s latest music offerings on iPhone including the recently launched iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store. The iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store offers customers the ability to browse, search, preview, purchase and download songs and albums from iTunes over the built-in Wi-Fi on their iPhone. No computer is required and when the customer connects their iPhone back with their PC or Mac, their music automatically syncs back into their iTunes library.