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LG KP500 touch screen is already on sale

Maximus — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:25:00 +0000

The company LG Electronics (LG) has announced the launch of sales of new models of mobile phone LG KP500. This attractive at a price of the phone with full touch screen based on past achievements and combines the functions of phones and premium segment.

LG KP500 continues a series of mobile devices with sensor technologies. A striking example of such decisions is a great line of phones from LG, starting with the prestigious unit of the LG Prada and LG Viewty KE990 kamerofona and finishing with impressive LG Secret KF755.

A thin light LG KP500 is presented in 2 colors: black and elegant, golden. It can operate in four frequency ranges networks GSM, which increases the area of his reception. The phone will recognize the text in 39 languages, including Russian. In addition, the user interface - easy and intuitive, understandable to everyone through the bright icons on a wide 3-inch screen. But to call LG KP500 need only click on a portrait of the conversation.

Model LG KP500 is equipped with a built-stylus that allows you to write notes and text messages from their hands, as well as edit photos. Targeting the screen automatically switches, depending on the situation of the hull. In addition, «sensory» game in which you can play, tresya, turning or perevorachivaya corpus, will not allow the user to be bored.

Model LG KP500 in Russia is already on sale at an estimated retail price - 9990 rubles.

A brief technical description:
• 3-inch full touch screen. Large 3-inch full touch screen allows you to get real pleasure of watching video, photos and games. In addition, the icon size more convenient than the young.
• Active user interface. The user interface is so intuitiven that arouses the desire to immediately investigate and learn all the responsibilities and capabilities of the phone.
• Podcherk and editing. Modern programs handwriting in the LG KP500 allow the user to send text messages written by hand and even on such difficult languages like Chinese.
• When «Photography» user can easily edit pictures with a stylus.
• «Touch» games. Through the use of new technologies, games LG KP500 add more interactivity, so users can enjoy mobile entertainment in a more dynamic and exciting form.
• automatically switches the screen orientation. Targeting the screen automatically switches, depending on the situation of the hull.
• Built stylus. The appearance of the phone does not suffer because of the built-stylus, skillfully hidden in the phone

Nokia N97: new smarfton company’s touch screen and sliding QWERTY keyboard

Maximus — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:23:00 +0000

The company Nokia, which opened today at Barcelona in the Spanish Nokia World 2008 conference, presented its new device from NSeries - Nokia N97, which is likely, and lead this series. The main purpose of this device on the version of producers - the users, "crackpot" on the Internet. And for what would be called so there is good reason: there is a large and 3.5-inch touch screen, and retractable QWERTY keyboard, and support various wireless technologies, networks and services.

In addition to the above, Nokia N97 has a 5 MP camera with Carl ZeissTessar optics and the ability to film in the resolution VGA and frequency of 30 frames per second. The recorded video and other multimedia content can be saved in the memory built in, which is much much as 48 GB! and which can be extended for another 16 GB, using a memory card, microSD. In addition, Nokia will masthead model by the way, and those people who spend a lot of time on the road, helping them find the shortest route or their current location due to the support GPS navigation device. But fans of entertainment will be happy to see support for all kinds of entertainment services, including the N-Gage games.

The emergence of selling Nokia N97 manufacturer promises to wait for the first half of next year at a cost of around 550 dollars.

Specifications Nokia N97:
• Support for communications standards: WCDMA 900/1900/2100 (HSDPA), EGSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• Interface: S60 5th Edition
• Dimensions: 117,2 x55, 3x15, 9 mm (18.25 mm at the camera)
• Weight: 150 gr.
• Display: 3.5-inch widescreen, TFT, resolution of 640x360, displaying more than 16 million colors
• Memory: 32 GB built, extensible cards microSD (up to 16 GB)
• The main camera: 5 IP, optics Carl ZeissTessar, videography MPEG-4 VGA (640 x 480) / 30fps
• Battery: BP-4L, 1500 mAh
• Communication: WLAN IEEE 802.11b / g with support for UPnP, Micro-USB connector (Hi-Speed USB 2.0), TV output, 3.5 audio jack under the headphones, Bluetooth v2.0 with support profile A2DP, GPS navigation

Motorola officially introduced her musical Slider MOTOROKR EM35

Maximus — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:18:00 +0000

The company Motorola today officially presented its new music Slider in a series of ROKR - MOTOROKR EM35, the main purpose of which, in addition to telephone conversations - to listen to music. Telephone component MOTOROKR EM35 increased availability of technology CrystalTalk, the essence of which is to improve the quality of voice interlocutors and reduce background noise.

Music is part of the slider is in its embedded player, his method of administration and various options to connect the headphones as wire or wireless. For this purpose, MOTOROKR EM35 is equipped with a standard 3.5 audio output of headphones, support for wireless technology Bluetooth, capable of sending and stereo sound, as well as special navigation keys - which is your finger, what would you want to tune up composition. Separate attention is the player who can listen to music without interrupting the main work with the phone, pause during a call, as well as make purchases in the music store. In addition, the phone has a built widgets and download additional support, thus widening its functionality. In addition EM35 owner will be able to take advantage of built-FM-radio receiver that supports RDS, as well as technology SONGID, recognizing the title and artists playing at the moment of music.

MOTOROKR EM35 is expected in sales already this year.

Other specifications MOTOROKR EM35:

• Support for communications standards: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, EDGE Class 12, GPRS Class 12
• Dimensions: 49.5 mm h107h16
• Weight: 116 gr.
• Messaging: MMS, SMS, Email, POP3/IMAP, IM
• Display: 2.2-inch, TFT, permission 240h320 points, displaying more than 262 thousand colors
• Camera: 3.1 MP with support for video
• Memory: 110 MB built, expanded with memory card format microSD (up to 32 GB)
• Communication: Bluetooth Class 1.5 with support for the transfer of stereo audio, 3.5 mm audio jack, USB 2.0 HS, Mobile Phone Tools, OMA DM, OTA ActiveSync, Over the Air Sync (OTA), PC Sync
• Battery: a capacity of 810 mAh

Lenovo P80

Maximus — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:15:00 +0000

Lenovo P80 brief specifications:
- stylish slim flip form factor
- comes in 7 different colors
- 3 mega pixel camera
- external 1 inch OLED display
- main 2.8 inch display
- CIF video capture at 15fps)
- FM radio
- Bluetooth
- microSD support
- dual band GSM support

Clearwire Completes Landmark Transaction with Sprint Nextel to Combine 4G Mobile WiMAX Businesses

Maximus — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:13:00 +0000

Clearwire Receives $3.2 Billion Cash Investment from Comcast, Intel, Time Warner Cable, Google and Bright House Networks

Clearwire Spectrum Holdings to Enable Unmatched Wireless Network Capacity for Broadband Services

KIRKLAND, Wash. and OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ: CLWRD for the first 20 trading days and CLWR thereafter) and Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE: S) announced that they have completed the transaction to combine their next-generation wireless Internet businesses. With the closing, Sprint contributed all of its 2.5 GHz spectrum and its WiMAX-related assets, including its XOHM business, to Clearwire. In addition, Clearwire has received a $3.2 Billion cash investment from Comcast, Intel, Time Warner Cable, Google and Bright House Networks. The transaction with Sprint and the new cash investment were completed on the terms originally announced on May 7, 2008. The new company retains the name Clearwire and remains headquartered in Kirkland, Washington.

Webcast and Conference Call

On Monday, December 1, 2008, at 10 a.m. Eastern Time (7 a.m. Pacific Time), Clearwire will hold a conference call for press and industry analysts to share its perspective and provide other details about the new company. The call is expected to last approximately 30 minutes. To access Monday’s conference call, please dial 866-783-2140 or outside the U.S., dial 857-350-1599. The passcode for the call is 41467097. The simultaneous webcast can be accessed via the Internet at http://investors.clearwire.com. The conference call will be archived and available for replay until midnight Eastern Time (9 p.m. Pacific Time), on Monday, December 15, 2008. To access the replay, please call 888-286-8010 or outside the United States, dial 617-801-6888. The replay passcode is 67750421.

About Clearwire

Clearwire, (NASDAQ: CLWRD for the first 20 trading days and CLWR thereafter), offers a robust suite of advanced high-speed wireless broadband services to consumers and businesses. Clearwire’s open all-IP network, combined with rich spectrum holdings, provides unmatched network capacity to deliver next-generation Internet access and applications. The company is building the first, nationwide 4G mobile Internet network, bringing together an unprecedented combination of speed and mobility. Investors include Sprint Nextel Corporation, Comcast Corporation, Intel through Intel Capital, Time Warner Cable, Google, and Bright House Networks. Clearwire currently provides mobile WiMAX-based service in Baltimore, Md., and provides pre-WiMAX services in 50 markets across the U.S. and Europe. Headquartered in Kirkland, Wash., additional information about Clearwire is available at www.clearwire.com.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving nearly 51 million customers at the end of the third quarter 2008; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.

Celebrate Value with Sprint on “Cyber Monday” with Free Feature-Rich Phones and the Most Economical Wireless Calling Plans in Time for Holiday Shoppin

Maximus — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:12:00 +0000

Sprint makes online shopping easy with money-saving Web-exclusive offers on popular wireless devices

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., (BUSINESS WIRE) -- --Families can save at least $240 and up to $1,000 annually with Sprint wireless plans over Verizon and AT&T

Sprint (NYSE:S) is giving customers the gift of value this holiday season with six power-packed devices offered free with a two-year contract for a limited time only exclusively through Sprint.com. Sprint customers already enjoy the best savings in wireless service today - for families, that can mean at least $240 and up to $1,000 in annual savings based on comparable rate and service plans offered by Verizon and AT&T.

Significant price drops on the following devices begin today exclusively at Sprint.com for new line activations or eligible upgrades with a two-year agreement:

Palm Centro(TM): Free after $100 mail-in rebate Centro is the smallest and lightest Palm phone to date. Centro has a modern, stylish look that feels comfortable in the hand, pocket or evening purse. Centro has been one of the top selling devices for Sprint this year because it is easy-to-use for both communication and organization (offer available only at sprint.com and 1-800-Sprint1 through Jan. 4).
Rumor(TM) by LG(R): Free instantly Exclusively from Sprint, the colorful Rumor by LG helps you manage your entertainment, data and voice needs in a single, attractive device. Rumor by LG puts the convenience of text messaging in the palm of your hand with an easy-to-use QWERTY slide keyboard and one-touch access to messaging through a softkey from the idle screen (offer available only at sprint.com and 1-800-Sprint1 through Dec. 26).
i335 by Motorola(R): Free instantly Offering the industry-leading push-to-talk Nextel Direct Connect(R) services available only on the iDEN network, i335 by Motorola is an easy-to-use, candy-bar-style phone offering Bluetooth(R) and speakerphone. It is also certified to Military Standard 810F for dust, shock and vibration (offer available only at sprint.com through Dec. 20).
Compass(TM) 597 by Sierra Wireless(R): Free instantly The nation's smallest USB modem, Compass 597 is about the size of a pack of gum. It features automatic installation of Sprint SmartView(SM) software and one-touch activation on the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network, making it easy to get up and running (offer available in all Sprint channels through Jan. 10 or while supplies last).
M300 by Samsung: Free instantly M300 by Samsung combines many of the essential tools customers need to communicate faster and easier with a compact, attractive design. Features include Bluetooth technology, VGA camera with digital zoom, Internet access, email and text messaging (offer available only at sprint.com and 1-800-Sprint1 through Jan. 10 or while supplies last).
S1 by Sanyo: Free instantly With a sleek look and feel, S1 by Sanyo offers the essential features that consumers rely on, including a robust 24mm speakerphone, integrated Bluetooth wireless technology, large LCD screen and voice-activated dialing. S1 by Sanyo is wrapped in a soft-touch finish that feels great in your hand (offer available only at sprint.com and 1-800-Sprint1 through Jan. 10 or while supplies last).

"During these challenging economic times, it is more important than ever for us to make online holiday shopping effortless with the best overall value and the most options in affordable wireless phones," said Dan Hesse, CEO of Sprint. "Sprint offers something for everyone on your holiday shopping list with the advanced features and exclusive content available on our devices. Consumers will see how Sprint can help them save money during this holiday season."

Beyond offering lower prices on devices and plans than competitors, Sprint offers customers the best value in wireless, including Now Network benefits provided by the fastest national push-to-talk network and America's largest, most dependable 3G network.* Sprint has four times the coverage of AT&T's current 3G network. Sprint also guarantees friendly service with Ready Now, an exclusive Sprint experience that offers hands-on training and setup for customers at Sprint stores nationwide.

Earlier this year, Sprint revolutionized unlimited pricing in the wireless industry by moving beyond its competitors to deliver more features for a flat rate of $99.99. Sprint's Simply Everything(SM) plan provides unlimited nationwide calling, texting, email, Web browsing, GPS navigation and much more - all for only $99.99. Comparable yearly messaging and data plans on Verizon and AT&T cost the consumer an additional $480 and $540, respectively.

Sprint's Simply Everything Family plan with unlimited voice, data and messaging for two customers is more than $1,000 less costly per year than AT&T's similar plan. Sprint's family share plans begin at $99.99 and offer an annual savings of $240 vs. Verizon and AT&T, allowing two customers to share 1,500 minutes (includes free nights starting at 7 p.m. and weekends) and unlimited messaging, including texting, picture sharing and video messaging, for $99.99.

Everything Data plans are a great value at just $69.99 for 450 minutes of talk time with unlimited data, including texting, email, Web browsing, GPS Navigation and exclusive content such as NFL Mobile Live(TM) and NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile(TM). Unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling to other Sprint customers and free nights and weekends starting at 7 p.m. are included in these affordable plans.

Existing customers can switch plans without renewing their contracts. New lines of service require a two-year agreement.

Customers can learn more about the great holiday deals on Sprint's wireless phones by going to sprint.com. Online chat with a customer service representative is available 24 hours a day to quickly address any questions during the purchasing process. Existing Sprint customers can switch to any of these plans without a contract extension. They are available on new lines of activation with a two-year agreement per line.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving nearly 51 million customers at the end of the third quarter 2008; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.

*Largest based on square miles. Dependability based on independent, third-party drive-test data on connection success and session reliability for the top 50 most populous markets from March to September 2008. Fastest based on initial call setup time.

Blackberry Storm Vs. iPhone 3G: Browser Wars

Maximus — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:07:00 +0000

Facebook Messaging Expands To Over One Billion Mobile Devices

Maximus — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:07:00 +0000

emoze pushes Facebook on any mobile device

emoze, the world's first free, mobile, push email service, now allows Symbian users to add their Facebook messaging in combination with any number of email messaging systems, to their favourite mobile device. Java and Windows Mobile users will have the privilege within the next few days. There is no need to purchase a sophisticated Smartphone to tap into Facebook messages on-the-move. Users can simply add Facebook to their emoze portfolio on any handset.

Instant access to read, reply and send messages, avoids the need to open the Facebook website. ‘Friends’ lists are immediately on their handset, without even needing to go through an internet browser.

"We are proud to give our users an unrivalled mobile experience that lets them play a more dynamic role as a part of Facebook's 130 million strong community," said Eitan Linker, emoze CEO. "Facebook is a prime example of how social networking is changing the world and our users will not miss a trick!"

In an ever-evolving state-of-change, social media sites have fast become an important way for people to stay connected with family, friends, peers, colleagues and business associates.

"Even at this nascent stage of the market, 19% of adult consumers who access social networks on their PCs also regularly access these same sites from their mobile phones," said Jill Aldort, senior analyst at Yankee Group.

One of the internet’s biggest brands, Facebook is the fourth most-trafficked website in the world and the most trafficked social media site on the web .

Linker: "We want everyone in the mass market to be able to enjoy the benefits of social networking when and where they choose," said the emoze CEO. “Facebook is only the first of many social media sites that will soon be available to our users.”

Maximizing battery performance and protecting all messages transmitted via its global service network, emoze never stores the data en-route to the user, giving even greater protection. Through a ‘push’ mechanism, messages are sent and received only when the mobile device is open and ready to receive the transmission.

Emoze can be downloaded from www.emoze.com or directly on the Symbian, Window’s Mobile or Java mobile device by navigating to http://emoze.com. The download is simple and wizard driven and the set-up does not require any technical assistance.

Simple, easy and fun - Emoze keeping people connected Anytime, Anywhere!

About emoze

emoze turns mobile phones and mobile devices in to fully functional personal communication devices with a single, simple and free download for the individual user. It delivers real-time, secure synchronisation of emails, calendars, contacts and tasks - pushing data and updates to you anytime, anywhere using any mobile service provider network or WiFi and all leading brands of mobile device. Download, registration and use of emoze are all free for the individual user. Users need a data package from their mobile service provider. emoze supports all popular email data sources (e.g. Lotus Notes and Domino Servers, Microsoft Outlook and Exchange, POP3 and Web-Access) and mobile device operating systems, and provides a simple user interface and high level security for emails and data. It is available for download through the Download! folder of all new Nokia Nseries mobile phones.

As a spin-off of Emblaze in 2006, emoze has users in almost every country worldwide. emoze is a subsidiary of the Emblaze Group (LSE: BLZ). For more information, please visit www.emoze.com. Stay connected with emoze - wherever you are!

Videos Channels Playlists advanced

Maximus — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:05:00 +0000

Are your fingers fearsome and fast? Ready to take on a frog in a duel? Here’s your chance to test your skills!

Whack as many frogs as you can in 60 seconds. Don’t miss the bonus frog – the one wearing the golden crown. But watch out for the red poison frogs that pop up unexpectedly. If you are fast and faultless you get a time bonus.

Whack it: Frogs is a game for finger practice and a bag of fun with no end. A game takes just a minute. Think and act fast. Good luck!

Nokia Home Control Center - My home is where my phone is

Maximus — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:02:00 +0000

Nokia Home Control Center is a solution based on an open Linux based platform enabling the home owner to build a technology-neutral smart home that can be controlled with a mobile phone, using a unified user interface. Nokia Home Control Center supports the most common smart home technologies, including Z-Wave as well as enabling the incorporation for proprietary technologies. Thus, it allows third parties to develop their own solutions and services on top of the platform, expanding the system to support new services and smart home technologies.

Background - A puzzle that does not fit together

Building blocks for an intelligent house are readily available in the market. Putting it all together is, however, like trying to build a house from blocks that do not fit with each other. There are smart refrigerators, energy-saving washing machines, heating systems that can adjust the room temperature with one-celcius-accuracy, security systems with touchpanels, low-energy walls, programmable thermostats, self-adjusting curtains, configurable set-top boxes, self-operating yard lights and much more. The problem is all these systems are separate and you end up having a dozen remote controllers and miles of cables in the living room.

Until now, solutions to home automation challenges have been sought through the development of better sensor networks. Although they are, of course, very important parts of new smart home solutions, no single sensor network technology can solve the challenges in this field. Z-Wave, ZigBee, and KNX are all attempts to define a common command language for home networks. So far, there has not been a clear winner in the battle for the de facto standard of home networks. Hence, it can be assumed that a future home will use several different technologies.

Nokia solution - When the development of a common language fails, build a dictionary

The Nokia Home Control Center acts as a dictionary that translates different technological languages so that they can be presented in a unified user interface. Furthermore, the platform enables grouping different physical devices, even from different manufacturers, to be presented for the user in an easy-to-understand way.

The whole Nokia solution consists of four main components:

1. The heart of the solution is the Nokia Home Control Center which is built on top of standard gateway architecture.

2. Two most important control nodes are the mobile phone and web browser.

3. The back-end server architecture ensures a seamless and secure link between a mobile device and the home gateway and also makes possible updating and upgrading software easily.

4. The partner devices. In addition to the components that Nokia is providing, the value for the end customer comes from the integration of different third party devices and systems under the control of one user interface.

It will be possible for example to monitor and control electricity usage, to swich devices on and off, and monitor different objects, such as temperature, camera, and motion. On one hand, Nokia Home Control Center can be used as WLAN gateway. On the other hand, the platform covers everything from a basic security solution to a more sophisticated heating control system. Users are free to build a solution that fits to their needs and expand it when ever they want.

Smart Home has been “coming” for 30 years – Why now?

Mobility is becoming increasingly important in home environments, as wireless technologies for smart home solutions are emerging. As structure wiring is no longer required, these are no longer niche market products meant for new houses. Wireless broadband has become main stream and multimedia consumption over home networks is increasing. From many studies we know that moving from a multimedia network to a smart home network is a much smaller step than building a wired smart home from the scratch. Finally, the last barrier of high equipment prices is breaking down as the technology becomes more and more common.

Partner program - Join the revolution!

Nokia Home Control Center is a platform and relies on third parties to integrate different solutions on top of the framework. Thus, Nokia is running a partner program for companies that are developing home solutions, for example, in security & safety, heating and energy efficiency areas. Nokia’s aim is to integrate state-of-the-art solutions from each area to the framework so that the systems can be controlled via mobile device. This provides the systems with remote access via the same user interface regardless if you use a mobile phone, web browser or an internet tablet, also enabling the different home systems to talk to each other.

Nokia will offer full API documentation, a library of basic control logic functions and development support for parties that decide to integrate their systems to Nokia framework.

Live video: 3Gepard mobile phone Sky Link

Maximus — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:02:00 +0000

The operator Sky Link, opened the live video from the Moscow Zoo on mobile phones. Now watch cheetah living in a "multimedia home", it is possible not only on a computer screen, but also in mobile phones Ubiquam U520 and Ubiquam U300.

Since September 2008, visitors to your blog 3Gepard.skylink.ru can monitor the cheetah lives online, to see their reactions to the first snow, shift the mood and so on. Special cheetah enclosure equipped with wireless Internet EV-DO Rev.A, which provides online broadcasts at speeds up to 3.1 Mbps.

In November, at the Moscow Zoo, with the participation of Sky Link to a new cheetah enclosure. The improved conditions increases the chances of the emergence of a family of procreation, but for biologists zoo, mobile users 3Gepard and all friends of animals makes it possible to follow the story live.

Access to 3Gepard free, but subscribers pay for traffic data in accordance with its tariff plans. The service "Mobile video is available to subscribers of Sky Link, use the phone Ubiquam U520 and U300 with an application Vyuga MediaBoard, it requires only activate the link" 3Gepard "in the" Webcams "mobile directory mediaprilozheny.

Nokia N95 successor?

Maximus — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:01:00 +0000

Nokia unveils N97 touch screen phone

Maximus — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:00:00 +0000

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Nokia Oyj, the world's largest mobile phone maker, unveiled its flagship N97 model smartphone on Tuesday, which drew a lukewarm response from analysts.

Nokia expects the handset -- with a large touch screen, retailing for 550 euros ($693) before taxes and subsidies and due to reach market in the first half of 2009 -- will bolster its N-Series smartphone offering.

It has promised to introduce touch screen models across its portfolio. Nokia was the last major handset maker to introduce touch screen phones after the runaway success of Apple Inc's iPhone, and last month started to sell its first such model.

Its ailing position in the high end of the mobile phone market worries investors and analysts as this is expected to weigh on the Finnish group's profit margins.

"Without a doubt Nokia needed a high-end touch screen phone," said Martti Larjo, analyst at Nordea.

The new N97 is a direct rival to Sony Ericsson's X1 and HTC's Touch Pro -- both of which use Microsoft's Windows software -- and analysts said by the time it goes on sale more direct rivals will likely have appeared.

"It might give Nokia a little edge, but it's six months until this reaches the market," said Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi.

CCS Insight's Research Director, Ben Wood, said Nokia had faced difficult choices with the N97.

"It tried to cram in lots of different technologies such as a touch screen, full qwerty keyboard and plenty of memory, but it had to make trade-offs in its size and features," he said.

"It has ended up with a relatively thick device that lacks some of the benchmark features expected in flagship products in mid-2009," he said.

Nokia shares were up 2.46 percent at 10.82 euros by 1144 GMT, compared with a 1.44 percent rise in the Dow Jones Stoxx European technology index.

HIGH HOPES

Nokia said at 550 euros, the new phone will retail at a price similar to the previous flagship models N95 and N96 when these were first came to market.

It introduced its last major N-series hit, the N95, in 2006 and started its sales early last year. To date it has sold more than 15 million N95s, creating revenues of several billion.

Nokia continues to dominate the global market for smartphones -- handsets with computer-like features such as e-mail -- but it sold less of them in the third quarter than a year ago, losing market share to Apple and Blackberry-maker RIM.

The Vice President of Nokia's Devices unit, Jonas Geust, told Reuters of the N97: "This is really the start of the new N-series ... really kicking off the next wave."

Geust said touch screens and full-qwerty keyboards will be key features in the new wave of products.

"What would there be these days without touch ... Touch for this category of devices is going to be important. Qwerty is also going to be important," he said.

The battle for a bigger share of the smartphone business has heated up since Apple introduced its iPhone last year, and all vendors are after a bigger slice of the market, which is set to continue growing despite gloom in the wider markets.

"It's clear no-one can escape the current economic situation," Chief Executive Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo told a news conference, but declined to elaborate further as the company is set to update analysts on its market outlook on December 4.

Meanwhile, the company also said it closed its acquisition of mobile software maker Symbian on Tuesday.

Lots of Nokia N97 videos

Maximus — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:56:00 +0000

Nokia N97 - Viewing Pics in the Gallery

Recording 16:9 Widescreen Video With The Nokia N97

Nokia N97 Live Video Demo

Nokia N97 Official Demo Video

Korean vendors trim handset shipment goal for 2009, says report

Maximus — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:54:00 +0000

Due to the global economic downturn, Korean handset vendors Samsung and LG Electronics (LGE) are reportedly trimming their global handset shipment goal for 2009, and while some market watchers expect Taiwan small- to medium-size LCD panel makers to experience related shipment drops, Giantplus Technology believes its shipments will not suffer, according to Chinese-language Apple Daily report.

The report indicated that Samsung has trimmed its global handset shipment goal by 8% to 222 million units, while LGE has cut its shipment goal by 12% to 119 million units.

However, Taiwan-based LCD panel maker Giantplus Technology, indicated that the effects of the lower handset shipment goals will probably be felt most in the higher-end segments, and the company has in fact seen increased shipments to LGE for its color STN LCD panels, which are targeted for entry-level handsets, according to the report.