27th May 2008, 11:37 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Camera-phone chip maker OmniVision has created a brand new type of image sensor that it says can be used in high-end mobile phones as early as 2009. The new sensor crams far more pixels into the same space used in current chips. OmniVision says the new sensors can squeeze 8 megapixels into the same area of today's 3 megapixel chips. It uses a new technology called backside illumination, which allows the smaller sensors to collect as much light as the larger pixels. The new sensors will also have much better low-light performance than current chips.

more at Wall Street Journal »

27th May 2008, 9:29 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Samsung has begun purchasing cell phone chips from German chip-maker Infineon. Until now, Samsung bought all its cell phone radio chips from Qualcomm. Samsung is following the steps of other handset manufacturers, such as Nokia, who have diversified which companies supply their businesses. The move will make for a more competitive chip market and stable supplies for the manufacturers, but is a blow to Qualcomm.

more at Reuters »

27th May 2008, 9:24 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Nokia has released the first firmware upgrade for the U.S. version of the N95. This is significant because Nokia has regularly offered firmware updates to the European version of the phone. The firmware update, 20.02.011, brings in a number of welcome features, including demand paging, Flash Lite 3, Web Run Time, Idle Screen Nokia Search, as well as improvements in the performance of the phone. The speed at which the camera can capture images has also been improved. The upgrade is available for free from the Nokia web site.

more at All About Symbian » / Nokia »

27th May 2008 9:20 AM   by Eric M. Zeman

Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin has retired from his post. Sarin is an advocate of the worldwide adoption of LTE technology. Vodafone owns a significant portion of Verizon Wireless, and his influence could have played a part in Verizon's plans to back LTE as its 4G network.

more at Vodafone »