8th June 2008, 5:34 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

The NFC Forum has set two new specifications for near-field communication-equipped devices. The Generic Control RTD specification sets a standard communication protocol for requesting a specific action, such as launching an application. The Connection Handover specification will help two NFC-equipped devices pair other wireless communications, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. This specification, in particular, will be important for other standards bodies for creating interoperable services and standards. It will enable two NFC devices to come in range, and then initiate the proper sequence of events to pair for things such as file transfers. The end result should be easier pairing and setting up of services for end users.

more at NFC Forum » / more info »

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8th June 2008, 4:46 PM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Today, 3:06 PM

The user manual for the upcoming Palm Treo 800w was posted to the Sprint site, providing details of the new device ahead of its launch. The hardware appears to be similar to the existing line of Treos with a few small changes, including a button on the top that toggles on/off the Wi-Fi radio. The 800w runs Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional (for touch screens) and can access Sprint's EVDO Rev. A high-speed network. It has a slot for microSDHC cards, though what capacity it will support was not made clear. It is the first Treo to have 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and GPS, supporting turn-by-turn directions, on board. It also packs in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and stereo Bluetooth. The display has been improved to 320 x 320 pixels, which matches the resolution on Palm OS-based Treos for the first time. It has ... Read more »

8th July 2008, 3:54 PM   by Eric M. Zeman

T-Mobile is asking the FCC to delay a vote on final rules for the proposed AWS-3 auction by another three months. The FCC is currently seeking public comment about another advanced wireless services auction. This one would require the winner to provide open access to a free wireless broadband service that includes filters to block adult content. T-Mobile says further testing needs to be done to ensure that there is no interference between the proposed spectrum to be auctioned and existing networks. Though FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has met with resistance, he has political backing that may entice him to move forward with the auction's rules as proposed. A final vote could take place as early as next month.

more at RCR News »

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Nokia released the results of a survey, based on interviews with 6,500 people in 13 countries, showing that most old phones are lying in drawers instead of being recycled. Just 3% answered that they recycle their old phones and 4% that they are throwing them away. 44% prefer just to keep the old gadget and never use it.

According to Nokia, one of the main reasons the phones are not recycled is because people are not aware of the fact this is possible. Nokia claims 80% of the materials in their phones are recyclable and the plastic is burnt to produce energy for the recycling process.

Markus Terho, Director of Environmental Affairs, Markets, at Nokia said, “If each of the three billion people globally owning mobiles brought back just one unused device we could save 240,000 tons of raw materials and reduce greenhouse gases to the same effect as taking 4 million cars off the road. By working together, small individual actions could add up to make a big difference.”

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The Czech site Mobil.cz revealed the first information on two new Samsung phones that are still unannounced. These are the first phones of the manufacturer to use a new modeling scheme; until now, Samsung used a three-symbol prefix (SGH- for GSM, SCH- for CDMA with BREW and SPH- for CDMA with Java) and a model made of a letter and three-digit number. From now on, it will use two-symbol prefix (GT- for GSM, the rest are still unknown) and a model with a letter and four dig ... Read more »

7th June 2008, 11:33 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Documents seen on the FCC site reveal details about the Motorola VE20. Based on the sample user manual, the VE20 is bound for Sprint. This clamshell bears resemblance to other Motorola models, including the KRZR series, and has an EVDO radio for high-speed data. It also has two touch-sensitive buttons on the exterior display that allow you to interact with the music applications and Sprint Music store. It carries stereo Bluetooth, a 2 megapixel camera, and voice recognition software. No release date for this phone is available.

more at FCC »

7th July 2008, 9:23 AM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Today, 7:31 AM

Virgin mobile recently added two new handsets to its selection of phones.

• Arc: This clamshell has a camera, Bluetooth, dual displays and can access Virgin's Sugar Mama services. It costs $50 and is available online.
• TNT!: This entry-level clamshell has basic services such as text messaging and access to the mobile web. It costs $20.

more at Virgin Mobile USA » / more info »

added on the 3rd June 2008 by Phone arena team at phone arena.com

The Motorola Napolean Q9 is a new world phone slated to be launched on Verizon Wireless.  However, unlike past word phones which only supported the European GSM bands, the Napolean has quad-band GSM support meaning it can be used on American carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile.  Interestingly, BGR was able to pop its AT&T SIM in and get the device working; normally VZW world phones are locked and only Vodaf ... Read more »

added 3rd June 2008 by Phone arena team

Canadian CDMA carrier Telus has launched a promotional page for the HTC Touch Diamond, and the Samsung Instinct is headed to Bell Mobility and possibly Telus as well. Here in the US we know the Instinct as a Sprint exclusive, but it would appear their exclusivity is limited to the our borders. The Touch Diamond has also recently ap ... Read more »

3rd June 2008, 4:00 PM   by Eric M. Zeman   updated Today, 2:13 PM

Today HTC announced that it is bringing a CDMA version of the Touch Diamond to Canada's Telus. The GSM version of the Touch Diamond was first announced in May. It has HTC's new TouchFlo 3D user interface, along with a 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus, 4GB of on-board memory, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, and GPS. While this particular announcement is specific to Telus' Canadian subscribers, it is not unreasonable to assume that HTC will also offer this same, or similar, phone through either Sprint or Verizon, both of which carry the original HTC Touch.

more at HTC »

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