Blog

N
issan Motor Company, NTT DOCOMO and Sharp Corporation announced that they have jointly developed a mobile phone capable of functioning as an intelligent key for automobiles - a world's first. The device will incorporate Nissan's Intelligent Key system, already a standard feature in various Nissan vehicles.

Mobile Phone with Built-in Intelligent Key (Prototype)

The convergence of automotive and cellular technologies was made possible by DOCOMO's expertise in the marketability of mobile phones, Sharp's development of the phone itself and Nissan's provision of technical support to ensure the key's operability with its vehicles.

Nissan's Intelligent Key system, installed in more than 950,000 units of various Nissan models*2 since 2002, employs two-way wireless communications technology to automatically unlock/lock*3 the car door and start/stop the engine. Nissan and Sharp has now integrated these electronic intelligent-key, wireless communications and electromagnetic technologies into the new handset.

As mobile phones increasingly become a daily necessity, the integration of these technologies*4 and the potential to further expand related functionality helped to bring together the three parties, who expect users to appreciate the seamlessly integrated features of their new handset.

Nissan, DOCOMO and Sharp will demonstrate this mobile phone with built-in Intelligent Key in their respective exhibits at CEATEC Japan 2008, which begins September 30*5. The three firms will continue to develop the product with an aim for commercial distribution in early fiscal year 2009.

1: As of September 2008, based on Nissan research.
2: As of August 2008, Japan only.
3: Manual remote entry also possible, like with conventional remote key.
4: Mainly automatic keyless entry and engine ignition, lockout prevention, plus conventional manual remote entry.
5: Wednesday, September 30 until Saturday, October 4 at Makuhari Messe.
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S
canbuy announced that it has secured a global agreement with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. to preload the ScanLife mobile 2D barcode application on Samsung’s camera phones.

Samsung will begin selling these phones in Spain, Italy, and Denmark starting as early as next month. Availability will quickly expand to other major markets including Mexico and the United States.

ScanLife technology uses camera phones to connect the physical world to the digital world. The application reads EZcodes and other major 2D barcode formats designed to quickly recognize and process information. Marketers and content providers use the ScanLife Code Management Platform (www.scanlife.com) to extend brand engagement onto mobile devices, while end users scan EZcodes to get information quickly and easily.

The ScanLife solution gives consumers and code publishers both national and international interoperability for the use of 2D codes.

Samsung is the second largest phone manufacturer in the world, and is expected to sell over 200 million handsets in 2008. Samsung’s extensive line of popular phones includes the Blackjack, Glyde, and the recently released Instinct.

�The 2D barcode solution delivered by Scanbuy is a valuable technology, making phone navigation simpler and more effective for end users,� said Wonsik Lee, Vice President of R&D Planning Team, Samsung.

“We are dedicated to continually improving our customers’ experience using Samsung mobiles, and the ScanLife application allows them to instantly access information anytime and anywhere.”

As part of the global agreement, Samsung will pre-load camera phones with the ScanLife application for each new country rolling-out Scanbuy’s complete solution. Samsung will also be using EZcodes to promote and market their extensive portfolio of consumer related electronics.

“This agreement with a global leader in phone design and manufacturing is a watershed moment for the 2D barcode market. It underscores the widespread demand throughout the mobile ecosystem for improving information discovery and access on every device,” said Jonathan Bulkeley, Chief Executive Officer of Scanbuy. “Scanbuy is wholly committed to working with all organizations including carriers, manufacturers, and content creators to ensure 2D barcodes reach their full potential in enabling the mobile phase of the digital information age.”

About Scanbuy :

Scanbuy is the leading global provider of mobile marketing solutions that use the camera phone as the link between the physical world and the digital world. The ScanLife client application and Code Management Platform are revolutionizing the way media companies, marketers, handset manufacturers and carriers around the world provide information and services to consumers on their mobile phones.Founded in 2000, Scanbuy has a strong and growing intellectual property base in 2D barcode technology. The company's investors include Longworth Venture Partners, Masthead Venture Partners and Hudson Ventures.
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T
ecore Networks announced that it has augmented its software-defined, IP-centric core network platform with a UMTS Mobile Switching Center (UMSC) and Home Subscriber Server (HSS) to expand support for 3G services.

As software plug-ins to the existing core on a blade, Tecore’s UMSC and HSS represent a more cost-effective and streamlined platform than previous offerings in the market, enabling rural and specialized mobile network operators to lower the threshold of investment in next-generation services and scale the network with the subscriber base. With this introduction, Tecore cements its role as the bridge between generations and protocols, and a future-proof path to 4G.

UMTS is the evolution of the GSM/GPRS/EDGE standard to support packet-based broadband services. Tecore has adopted UMTS release 6 due to the robustness of end-to-end transport via IP, and the introduction of the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) core network, both of which are principal features of Tecore’s current architecture.

The HSS represents the most advanced subscriber management solution, preserving features, quality of service and data integrity across all major access technologies. Together, these enhancements enable operators to offer the most advanced 3G services on the market without the price tag associated with previous offerings in this category.

Whereas national mobile operators have begun 3G deployments, most rural operators are understandably moving more cautiously. They have neither the population density nor the heavy concentrations of tech-savvy users to justify next-generation buildouts in the same manner as their larger competitors. Additionally, these operators are concerned about the uncertain path to the next generation and the possibility of placing the wrong bet, as multiple technologies are being promoted. Tecore provides the optimal solution by enabling UMTS on a multi-technology core network that can bridge protocols and generations. This platform is also ideal for other types of operators, including MVNOs/MVNEs and government entities, who are turning to 3G for their network requirements.
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S
ony Ericsson announced the launch of PlayNow™ plus, which will offer users the ultimate mobile music experience with the freedom to discover, download, play and recommend unlimited amounts of music wherever they are and whenever they like, directly over the mobile data network.

PlayNow™ plus is due to set a new standard for the unlimited music experience on a mobile with unrivalled download speeds, high-quality audio and access to the largest music catalogue of any unlimited download service. Sony Ericsson’s PlayNow™ plus music service guarantees ‘all-you-can-eat’ unlimited access to millions of music tracks.

PlayNow™ plus is very easy to use, with millions of songs available on your PC or phone at the click of a button. No need for cables, PlayNow™ plus offers simplicity and a great out of box experience with 1000 of the best selling songs already in the phone.

Instant satisfaction:

Turn on the PlayNow™ plus phone and start to browse, download, and play unlimited amounts of music—anytime, anywhere
PlayNow™ plus brings you 1000 of the recent most popular songs, both locally and globally, already preloaded and access to millions more.
Using the latest high speed mobile networks you can now enjoy super fast downloads. Music is downloaded to your phone in seconds.
Enjoy music on the move and at home:

As well as being able to browse millions of tracks on your phone, a complimentary PC player is available allowing you to download and play as much music as you like on your PC.

Ease of Use :
There is no more need for slow and cumbersome cables to get music from your PC onto your phone. Send your favourite playlist from home to phone in a matter of seconds.
Keep your favourite music forever:

Keep your most-played music tracks at the end of your contract to play whenever you like on whatever MP3 compatible player you have.
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S
amsung announced two music-focused phones appropriately named Beat b and Beat s (That's not going to be confusing. No, not at all). Much like the Sony Ericsson W910, the key feature of these two phones is that it has "Motion Play", a technology that lets you control your music with a specific motions: Tap the phone to pause, flip it over to silence the phone, and shake it to forward to the next track. Both devices will have 2-megapixel cameras, 3.5mm headset jacks, stereo Bluetooth, FM radios with RDS, and microSD card slots.

The M3510 Beat b is a candy bar device with 900/1800/1900 tri-band GSM/EDGE, and has Shazam preloaded. Shazam is a song-ID application that can let you identify a song just by holding the phone up to the music source (This application is also available for the iPhone). The M3200 Beats is a 850/1800/1900 tri-band GSM/EDGE phone, which is more compatible with U.S. bands. Both devices will be out in October.
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M
otorola announced two new Bluetooth headsets, namely the Motorola Pure H15 and the Motorola H780.

The Pure H15 (code name Adonis) is the star of the show with a compact and lightweight design along with a flip boom mic, which we haven't seen in a lot of headsets. The flip also acts as a power switch of sorts--open it to talk and close it to conserve battery life. Even though both headsets come with CrystalTalk technology that enhances voice clarity, the H15 takes it a step further with background noise cancellation.

Both the H15 and the H780 have multipoint technology that lets each headset connect two devices simultaneously; comfortable fit and feel; and an EasyPair technology that promises an easier Bluetooth pairing experience.

The H15 has a rated talk time of four and a half hours and a standby time of seven days, while the H780 has a rated talk time of seven hours and a standby time of eight days. The H15 will retail for $129, while the H780 will retail for $99. Both are slated to come out by Q4 of this year.

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O
f all the major camera manufacturers, Olympus stands out as lacking a prosumer model. Between the approximately $600 E-520 and $1,500-ish E-3 lies a huge gap for competing with the likes of the Canon EOS Rebel XSi and 40D, the Nikon D90, and the Sony Alpha DLSR-A700. And frankly, the company is rather late entering into this highly competitive market, especially since its announcement of the new midrange E-A1 indicates the camera won't ship until early 2009.

Like all of Olympus' dSLRs, the E-A1 will be based on the Four Thirds standard for lens compatibility. It will inherit the 11-point twin-cross sensor AF system and flip-and-twist LCD from the E-3, though the body will be smaller, and Olympus claims the sensor-shift image stabilizer will correct up to 5 stops. It will also have improved weather sealing and a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 second. More prosumer-focused features will include face detection and Shadow Adjustment Technology.

Olympus' first Micro Four Thirds camera will also be appearing under glass at Photokina. Given that it currently has no name, price, or launch date
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