Studio Press

Full press release from Microsoft:

Microsoft’s Zune Delivers Connected Music and Entertainment Experience Built-in wireless technology lets consumers share experiences device to device.

REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 14, 2006 — Marking the next big milestone for its Connected Entertainment vision, Microsoft Corp. today unveiled details of the first products to be released under its Zune™ brand. Designed around the principles of sharing, discovery and community, Zune will create new ways for consumers to connect and share entertainment experiences. The Zune experience centers around connection — connection to your library, connection to friends, connection to community and connection to other devices.

“The digital music entertainment revolution is just beginning,” said J Allard, vice president, design and development, at Microsoft, who is leading the charge for building the family of Zune products. “With Zune, we are not simply delivering a portable device, we are introducing a new platform that helps bring artists closer to their audiences and helps people find new music and develop new social connections.”

The Zune Experience Available this holiday season in the United States, Zune includes a 30GB digital media player, the Zune Marketplace music service and a foundation for an online community that will enable music fans to discover new music. The Zune device features wireless technology, a built-in FM tuner and a bright, 3-inch screen that allows users to not only show off music, pictures and video, but also to customize the experience with personal pictures or themes to truly make the device their own. Zune comes in three colors: black, brown and white.

Every Zune device creates an opportunity for connection. Wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing lets consumers spontaneously share full-length sample tracks of select songs, homemade recordings, playlists or pictures with friends between Zune devices. Listen to the full track of any song you receive up to three times over three days. If you like a song you hear and want to buy it, you can flag it right on your device and easily purchase it from the Zune Marketplace.

Zune makes it easy to find music you love — whether it’s songs in your existing library or new music from the Zune Marketplace. Easily import your existing music, pictures and videos in many popular formats and browse millions of songs on Zune Marketplace, where you can choose to purchase tracks individually or to buy a Zune Pass subscription to download as many songs as you want for a flat fee.

To get started with great music and videos out of the box, every Zune device is preloaded with content from record labels such as DTS, EMI Music’s Astralwerks Records and Virgin Records, Ninja Tune, Playlouderecordings, Quango Music Group, Sub Pop Records, and V2/Artemis Records.

Zune Accessories To enhance the Zune experience, three accessory packs help Zune users enjoy their music where they want to, at home or on the road. The packs and the individual accessories, all designed exclusively for Zune, will be available at launch:

• The Zune Car Pack includes everything needed to hit the road with a Zune device, such as the built-in FM tuner with AutoSeek and the Zune Car Charger.

• The Zune Home A/V Pack enhances your experience in the home through five products that integrate Zune with the TV and music speakers: Zune AV Output Cable, Zune Dock, Zune Sync Cable, Zune AC Adapter and the Zune Wireless Remote for Zune Dock.

• Zune Travel Pack is a set of five products designed to keep friends and family entertained on the road: Zune Premium Earphones, Zune Dual Connect Remote, Zune Gear Bag, Zune Sync Cable and the Zune AC Adapter.

Providing consumers with additional options to customize and personalize their Zune experience, Microsoft is also working with leading accessory manufacturers Altec Lansing, Belkin Corp., Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO), Dual Electronics, Griffin Technology, Harman Kardon and JBL, Integrated Mobile Electronics, Jamo International, Klipsch Audio Technologies, Logitech, Monster Cable Products Inc., Speck, Targus Group International Inc. and VAF Research

The Future is Bright In addition to the features available at launch, built-in wireless technology and powerful software provide a strong foundation to continue to build new shared experiences around music and video. As Zune evolves, the device can be easily updated. The Zune software on your PC will let you know when these updates are available for download.

GSM in the Americas: The traction of GSM is indisputable as market share continues to grow. At 2Q 2005, GSM held 38% of the Americas market, having just taken its place as the #1 wireless mobile technology in the region. Twelve months later, that market share has grown to 51%, and in several key countries the market shares are even more impressive.

Some operators are transitioning their CDMA networks to GSM to take advantage of GSM's global roaming capabilities, technical evolution strategy, and economies of scale. These are the significant factors contributing to the massive uptake of GSM across Latin America and the Caribbean where it now represents 63% of the overall wireless mobile market, versus 22% for CDMA technologies.

GSM in Argentina added 12 million new GSM customers from June 2005 to June 2006, and now holds a market share of 77%, compared to CDMA and TDMA at 11% and 10%, respectively. GSM in Colombia added 14 million new GSM customers from June 2005 to June 2006, with a current market share of 80%, compared to CDMA and TDMA at 10% each. In Mexico, where 16 million new GSM subscriptions in one year have contributed to an almost 78% growth rate, GSM has captured 71% of market share, up from 48% only one year ago. This compares to a share of 18.5% for TDMA and 7% for CDMA.

GSM Worldwide: In the twelve months from Q2 2005 to Q2 2006, the GSM family of technologies gained nearly 500 million new customers worldwide, including 41 million new UMTS 3G customers. This number represents more than ten times the growth of CDMA, which added 45 million new customers. GSM again added more new customers in a year than the total subscriber base of all other mobile digital technologies. In June 2006, the industry milestone of 2 billion GSM subscriptions worldwide was reached, including subscriptions to UMTS at 70 million, and in the past year, new GSM subscriptions accounted for more than 90% of all net new digital wireless customers.

Mobile Broadband and Wireless Data: Mobile broadband UMTS/HSDPA, the leading industry standard for the delivery of 3G voice and data service chosen by 111 operators in 54 countries today, is a GSM technology that is truly making its mark. With 45 networks in service in 32 countries and another 66 networks planned, in deployment, or in trial, 3G Americas' President, Chris Pearson, stated, "2006 is the year for HSDPA. Only one year ago there were no commercial networks in play, and today you have more than 70 million customers using GSM for mobile broadband. Expect to see nearly all of the 289 operators publicly committed to deploying UMTS execute HSDPA on their networks, thereby achieving the best possible use of their spectrum assets, the lowest cost per bit of data and a wide variety in devices and applications for their customers."

Currently, UMTS/HSDPA is the only cellular technology that offers high speed simultaneous voice and data transmission services, and is the global technology choice for mobile broadband services.

EDGE high speed wireless data technology is contributing to wireless data usage in the Americas region with 44 operators in 20 countries currently offering commercial EDGE services. Although voice still constitutes most cellular traffic, wireless data now exceeds 10 percent of Average Revenue Per User (ARPU), and this number could easily double within three years. Operators across the Americas are confirming this trend with their reports of rising data ARPU. For instance, for the second quarter of 2006, Cingular Wireless reported ARPU from data services rose 38 percent to $5.77 per month. T-Mobile reported data ARPU represented 10.9% of blended ARPU in the second quarter of 2006, as compared to 10.1% in the first quarter of 2006, and 7.5% in the second quarter of 2005. Rogers Wireless of Canada reported a 65.1% lift in data revenues, representing 10.5% of the total network revenue of the quarter. Now commercial on a total of 157 operator's networks in 91 countries, EDGE is routinely included in 3G wireless devices to enable global roaming for GSM/UMTS customers worldwide. At this time, there are 238 operators worldwide committed to deploying EDGE services.

Data is based on figures from Informa Telecoms & Media World Cellular Information Service (WCIS). Detailed charts on GSM growth as well as EDGE and UMTS deployment lists are available at 3G Americas' website: www.3gamericas.org.

Asus,provider of high-performance notebook computers, today unveils the latest R2H Ultra-Mobile PC. With built-in high-resolution webcam, incorporated global positioning system (GPS) and biometric fingerprint authentication, the 7-inch ultra compact R2H is designed to fulfill the increasing need for an all-in-one mobile device that enables professionals to stay connected, productive and secured on the go.

Solid Security Management for Protected Computing To give business travelers peace of mind, the R2H offers total data protection that meets the evolving security needs with both software and hardware solutions.

The protected computing starts with fingerprint authentication that grants strict access only to the designated owner. For the most accurate reading, t he electronic imaging mechanism scans fingerprint pattern from the live layer of the skin , bypassing any common skin surface conditions.

Intuitive Usage Experience The R2H runs on Windows ® XP Tablet PC Edition with Touch Pack software and ergonomic hardware interface designs. With complete function keys laid out on both sides of the front panel, users enjoy comfortable operation to a full set of control keys, including mouse, scroll buttons, hot keys as well as on-screen keypad, all at the finger tips.

The feature-rich R2H is packed with computing, multimedia and connectivity functions. Built-in Bluetooth 2.0 EDR ( Enhanced Data Rate), WLAN 802.11 a/b/g and high-resolution webcam offer extensive high-speed connection and wire-free video communication. In addition, satellite GPS provides a comprehensive travel guide that the users no longer need to deal with paper maps or ask for directions! The incorporated GPS antenna with a foldable mechanism allows convenient storage when not in use. Ultimately, the R2H empowers users to go anywhere, do anything!

Like the K790a, the K800i sports a simple candy bar form factor that's roughly rectangular in shape but still sleek and stylish. What's more, the black-and-gray color scheme accurately reflects the high-tech features inside. It's far from compact (4.1 by 1.9 by 0.9 inches; 4.1 ounces) but with its solid construction and comfortable feeling in the hands, it's a worthy trade-off.

The K800i has the K790a's same brilliant 262,144-color display that measures two inches diagonally (240x320 pixels). Below the display is the navigation array, which is similar as well. The five-way joystick doubles as a shortcut to four user-defined functions, while the two soft keys open the recent-calls list and the main menu when the phone is in standby mode. There are also dedicated Back and Clear buttons, a key that launches the Web browser, and a nifty control that opens a submenu of user-defined shortcuts and a list of upcoming calendar events. Overall the navigation controls were tactile and easy to use, but they are somewhat squashed together. The backlit keypad buttons were a nice change, however, from previous Sony Ericssons. Rectangular in shape, they are large enough for most hands and are raised just above the surface.

The K800i has a simple yet attractive design.

A music player button and the Memory Stick Micro slot sit on the left spine, while the right spine holds a volume rocker and a camera shutter control. The camera lens and self-portrait mirror sit on the back of the handset behind a sliding cover. Above is the large, high-quality flash, while a small speaker is next to the camera lens.

The phone book holds a respectable 1,000 contacts with room in each entry for five phone numbers, Web and e-mail addresses, a work title and company name, work and home street addresses, a birth date, and notes (the SIM card holds an additional 250 names). You can organize contacts into groups and pair them with photos for caller ID. You can pair contacts with one of 16 72-chord polyphonic and MP3 tones. Other essential offerings include a vibrate mode, text and multimedia messaging, an alarm clock, a calendar, a task list, a timer, a stopwatch, a calculator, a notepad, and a voice memo recorder (space is limited by the available memory).

The K7800i also comes with a wealth of business-friendly features. You'll find full Bluetooth for connecting to a wireless headset or sending files or your electronics business card to another Bluetooth device. And like with many other Sony Ericssons, you can use the phone as a modem and use the Bluetooth feature as a remote control to connect with other Bluetooth devices. Other high-end goodies include a speakerphone, an RSS news reader, an infrared port, PC syncing for contacts and other files, USB cable support, e-mail, voice dialing, and a code memo for storing passwords and other secure information. And because the phone supports UMTS networks, you can watch streaming video.

Like the K790a, the 3.2-megapixel K800i Cyber Shot is one of the most advanced camera phones we've reviewed. Camera features were the same on both phones. You can take pictures in four resolutions, from VGA up to the full 3 meagpixels, and choose from two image quality choices. Other notable offerings include a panorama mode, red-eye reduction, spot metering, a macro setting, and image stabilization (see the K790a review for a full list of the camera features). The camcorder, which is also similar, takes MPEG-4 clips with sound in one resolution (176x144). And here again the remarkable Xenon flooded our photos and videos with light even in dim situations.

Is it a camera? No, it's a phone.

The K800i had the K790's same outstanding picture quality with bright colors, distinct object outlines, and sharp effects. The flash can be too strong at times, so use it at your discretion. Video quality was satisfactory overall, but it was also a bit grainy, and quick movements were blurry. Clips meant for multimedia messages are capped at two minutes; otherwise length is limited by the available memory. When you're finished with your photos, you can save them to the phone's 64MB of shared internal memory (we suggest getting a Memory Stick for more storage). You can also send your snaps wirelessly via Bluetooth, e-mail, or a multimedia message; upload quickly them to an online blog; or transfer them to a computer via a USB cable. For creative types, the phone has photo- and video-editing applications including a fun FaceWarp application for playing with your favorite headshots.

We loved the K800i's picture quality.

The K800i's music player lets you organize music by artist, track name, or playlist and choose from settings that include album/song shuffle and loop, stereo widening, and an equalizer. Music stops automatically when you get a call, you can minimize the player's interface, and an airplane mode lets you listen to your tunes in flight with the cell phone turned off. There are stereo speakers on the back and the phone supports a Bluetooth profile. Music capacity is limited by the available memory, so again buying a Memory Stick Micro is a good idea. To get music on the phone, you can use an included USB cable or send tunes via Bluetooth or the infrared port. You also get the Sony Ericsson FM radio with 20 presets, though you must use it with a headset, which acts as an antenna.

You can personalize the K800i with a variety of themes, wallpaper, and screensavers. As always, you can purchase more options and ring tones from Sony Ericsson via the WAP 2.0 wireless Web browser. Alternatively, the phone comes with a Music DJ application for composing your own ring tones. Gamers can enjoy three Java (J2ME) titles: FotoQuest Fishing, Mini Golf: Castle, and Tennis Multiplay, with additional titles available for purchase. Like with the Sony Ericsson W600i, some games are played in landscape mode while using the special gameplay keys above the display.

We tested the triband (GSM 900/1800/1900; UMTS) Sony Ericsson K800i world phone in San Francisco using Cingular service. Call quality was comparable to that of the K790a, which is to say it was very good with nice clarity, little static, and no interference from other electronic devices. Likewise, volume could be a bit louder on our end, but it should be quite serviceable for most users. Calls faded out a bit in buildings, but that's to be expected since the phone isn't operating on the GSM 850 band. On their end, callers had similar experiences. They could tell we were using a cell phone, but they had few problems hearing or understanding us. Speakerphone quality was good as well. Just take note that on the K800i, the main speaker faces the back of the phone as well.

Since the K800i supports 3G UMTS networks, we were excited to test just how speedy it was. Happily we can report that wireless Internet browsing was lightning-fast. We jumped from wireless Web page to Web page with hardly a pause. Going back to a previously loaded page was quick as well. Though we couldn't connect to Cingular Video to test the streaming video quality, we did download a few games and applications; the transfer speed was sufficiently zippy and we had the content on our phone in just a few seconds. On the downside, the only thing that was sluggish was the menu navigation. Though not a huge problem, it was slower than the K790a.

The K800i has a rated talk time of seven hours and a promised standby time of 14.5 days. We managed to get an impressive six hours and 45 minutes of talk time in our tests. According to FCC radiation tests the K800i has a digital SAR rating of 0.58 watts per kilogram.-CNET

A Microsoft spokeswoman confirmed that a filing by Toshiba, the Japanese electronics maker, with the Federal Communications Commission for a portable audio player was for Zune, which is scheduled to be released later this year.

The filing says the device will have a 3-inch liquid-crystal-display screen, a 30-gigabyte hard-disk drive and wireless connectivity.

Microsoft would not disclose any more details, but it said more information would come in the next couple of weeks. Toshiba was not immediately available for comment.

Microsoft faces an uphill climb in closing the gap with Apple’s iPod media player and iTunes music store, the runaway leaders in their categories.

The iPod holds more than half of the digital media player market, according to the research company NPD, while iTunes accounts for more than 70 percent of digital music sales in the United States. The iPod has more than 75 percent of the digital music player market in America, NPD said.

“It’s not like Microsoft was going to go out and build this itself,” an analyst at Jupiter, Michael Gartenberg, said. “This is very good news for Toshiba.”

In the user’s manual section of the filing, Toshiba refers to the device as “Pyxis” and explains how users can send and receive photos, songs and albums, working with nearby users over wireless connections.

The Pyxis also has a “DJ” function that allows a user to stream music to up to four other Pyxis devices. It also comes with an FM radio tuner.

Microsoft has not disclosed any pricing information about its media player, but Toshiba sells its own 30-gigabyte hard-disk player, called the gigabeat. It comes with a smaller screen and without wireless connectivity and has a list price of $350.-Reuters

The company said yesterday that it had received nine reports of overheating laptops, and was issuing an immediate global recall of 1.8m batteries in cooperation with the US consumer product safety commission (CPSC).

Last week Dell, the world's biggest computer maker, issued a recall of more than 4m batteries after laptops caught fire.

Apple said it knew of two cases of minor burns from overheated laptops, and asked customers to check with its website to find out if they are affected. The recall affects a large number of 12-inch iBook G4, 12-inch PowerBook G4, and 15-inch PowerBook G4 laptops sold since October 2003. The CPSC said most were sold in the US, but 700,000 were sold elsewhere. It is not yet clear how many went to Britain.

Both recalls are batteries made by Sony.-guardian

The Energy, Water and Communications Ministry cancelled the tender for wireless broadband Internet (WiMAX) on July 18, the final day for submissions, as the specifications did not meet the ministry’s requirements.

Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) specifications for the provision of the WiMAX licence did not include a nationwide rollout.

“They (MCMC) went ahead and gave out the specifications before I could take a look at them. I am a bit angry and disappointed with MCMC because they went out without getting the ministry’s input and I have it ordered to be recalled,” Dr Lim said.

He said the ministry would relook at the specifications and call for fresh submissions. He said the specifications would involve consultations with industry players to ensure the best criteria, which include infrastructure and content.

The tender for the WiMAX 2.3 gigahertz (Ghz) opened in May this year and the closing date was yesterday. Three companies, DiGi.com Bhd, REDtone International Bhd and NasionCom Holdings Bhd, were reportedly keen on a WiMAX licence.

He said the MCMC did not comply with the MyCMS 886 standards. The MyCMS 886 is a five-year ICT blueprint which outlines an industry-driven initiative that will leverage on existing policies and programmes to increase the usage of broadband Internet, cellular telephone service and 3G service.

Speaking to reporters after opening the Conference and Exhibition on IP Telephony (CEIPT 2006), he said the new criteria would specify that applicants should be ready to invest in infrastructure and have enough content to “excite” users.

Dr Lim said the candidates should invest in infrastructure to be connected before they were eligible to be considered. The candidates should also be able to offer a full range of services, which include Internet protocol television (IPTV), IP Telephony, high-speed broadband connectivity and quality data to attract people to subscribe to the service.

WiMAX technology is akin to WiFi (wireless fidelity) technology, where users could link up to broadband Internet from a “hotspot”. Unlike WiFi which only covers short distances, the range for WiMAX could stretch to an entire city.

To boost broadband penetration, he said the ministry was thinking of setting up a universal service provision fund – a government fund to provide rural areas with broadband connectivity. He did not give details on the proposed fund.-theedgedaily

DiGi.Com Bhd's failure to obtain a 3G licence was attributed to the lack of content and infrastructure that it has to back up the 3G rollout, a source with the Energy, Water and Communications Ministry said.

The source refuted claims that the ministry was against foreign players following the failure of DiGi in getting the licence as the decision was in line with the ministry’s plan to grow the country’s 3G industry.

On March 5, the Energy Water and Communications Ministry, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission granted Time dotCom Bhd and MiTV Corp Sdn Bhd 3G licences. Telekom Malaysia Bhd and Maxis Communications were earlier granted the licences.

The source said: “The 3G licence was given to Time.dotCom because it is the only player besides Telekom that has a trunk line. This would create competition for Telekom.”

He said MiTV was given the 3G licence as it would be able to provide exciting content to users. It is also not against the exclusive satellite TV rights given to Astro.

In some countries, the source said, they have a balance of 3G licence given to mobile operators and the content providers to encourage growth in the industry.

The source said the ministry wants Time.dotcom to team up with independent content provider to attract more users.-theedgedaily

Most telco players were surprised by the government’s decision yesterday to knock back the tender for Malaysia’s first wireless broadband licence.

At least three companies – DiGi.Com Bhd, REDtone International Bhd and NasionCom Holdings Bhd – made a bid, which ended yesterday, for a WiMax licence for the 2.3 GHz spectrum.

The Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) technology is similar to WiFi that most laptops are equipped with, except that the technology provides a higher capacity and operates across a much wider area.

It was developed to beam the Internet across cities using radio networks further than WiFi, which is limited to “hotspot” areas of around 50 to 100 metres.

REDtone group managing director Wei Chuan Beng said: “We are quite shocked by the decision.”

It would wait for the regulatory body, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), to explain its decision, he said, adding that the company would continue to support and push for wireless broadband despite the setback.

NasionCom group managing director Peter Tham said the company had submitted a comprehensive proposal to bid for the licence in May.

“Naturally, we are disappointed but we respect the decision,” he said, adding that NasionCom had tried to contact MCMC for details on the decision but to no avail.

Asked if a second round of tenders for the licence could occur, Tham said: “From my experience it is not a common thing, but we are hopeful.”

He said there was a foreign news report that suggested another round of tenders could be called in the near future.

“The decision to cancel the bids is definitely a setback for the telco players,” Tham said.

An official with DiGi said the company was not prepared to make any comment.

“We have just heard the news from the media. At this stage it is too early to comment,” he said.

An AmReseach telco analyst said: “We are very surprised that the bids had been cancelled.”

He said there must be valid reasons, noting that the government had always been supportive of wireless broadband for the country.

An analyst with another research house said having wireless broadband was a natural progression for the country.

“We don’t see any reason for the delay in adopting wireless broadband. Any teething problems should be worked out over time,” he said.

When contacted by StarBiz, an MCMC official said: “We will be issuing a formal statement to the media tomorrow (today).”

Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said the tender had to be recalled because the specifications were not according to ministry policies and the conditions for the tender did not take into account the building of infrastructure and content.

“I'm a bit angry and disappointed with MCMC for not getting the ministry's input and ordered it (tender) to be recalled,” he was quoted by Bernama as telling reporters after opening the Conference and Exhibition IP Telephony-theStar

O2’S XDA Atom has a new sibling. Called the XDA Atom Exec, the device is much like the regular Atom, except it comes with a new matte “gun metal” finish, more memory and a more powerful processor.

The new Atom Exec runs on a 520MHz Intel XScale processor (up from 416MHz on the Atom) and has 192MB memory (compared with just 128MB on the Atom).

The Atom Exec also incorporates the latest update to the Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system, which enables push-e-mail with mail servers running Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 SP2. This allows you to receive e-mail on the device as soon as it is sent to the mail server.

Otherwise, the Atom Exec has all the same features as the Atom – the relatively small form factor, 2.7in 262,000-colour TFT LCD screen, built-in WiFi, Bluetooth v1.2, triband GSM with GPRS/EDGE connectivity, integrated FM Radio and a 2-megapixel digital camera.

The O2 XDA Atom Exec will be available at the end of this month at recommended retail price of RM2,988 Specifications

Motorola, the global leader in Bluetooth devices, today showcased its latest portfolio of Bluetooth wireless devices, which are set to vastly enhance the mobile experience for Malaysian consumers. Designed for freedom, ease-of-use, seamless access, and safe hands-free communications, Motorola’s innovative and stylish Bluetooth devices are leading the way in wireless connectivity.

“Motorola’s continued focus on consumer needs and experiences have resulted in the creation of an extensive portfolio of products and lifestyle statements that underscore our existing global leadership position in the Bluetooth marketplace,” said Eric Chong, Country Manager, Malaysia & Brunei, Motorola Mobile Devices Business. “We have taken Bluetooth devices from a practical expression of technology to a design statement. For example, a colour headset can now reflect your personality.”

Motorola has also recently announced the Motorola SoundPilot Bluetooth Stereo Controller S705 and the Motorola Portable Bluetooth Car Kit T305, enhancing the integration of mobile entertainment and communications, while driving the adoption of simple and effective in-car communications solutions.

Motorola’s SoundPilot Bluetooth Stereo Controller S705 introduces a whole new experience in wireless communication and entertainment. The stylish, ultra portable unit allows users to wirelessly stream and control music from their Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone, personal computer or iPod1 using their favourite wired headphones, while never missing a call using the S705’s built-in microphone. The unit also features an integrated FM radio with RDS ensuring you never miss your favourite radio program while on-the-go.

The Motorola Portable Bluetooth Car Kit T305 delivers an affordable, convenient and non-intrusive method of hands-free communication and is easily transferable between vehicles. The T305 easily pairs with Bluetooth-enabled mobile handsets and clips to the car’s sun visor to give loud, clear communications allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Advanced echo and noise reduction technology is employed to deliver an exceptional hands-free listening environment.

Maxis Communications Bhd has handed out research grants amounting to RM774,000 to two universities to fund studies aimed at improving the local mobile communications industry.

Multimedia University (MMU) and the University of Malaya (UM) received the grants under Maxis' Industry Development Programme. Researchers from MMU will analyse two areas of communications techology - the future of mobile network architecture design and subscriber behaviour - while UM researchers will be focusing on video compression.

Datuk Jamaludin Ibrahim, Maxis chief executive officer, said the world of mobile technology needs to be explored further because it is limitless. The maximum benefits of communications technology have yet to be fully tapped, he said.

"It is a challenge to understand the suitability of current and future technologies that work best to deliver the nation's future wireless communications needs in the most efficient way," Jamaludin said.

He said the collaboration between Maxis and the academia will allow an exchange of expertise. "They have some expertise that we don't and vice-versa, and hopefully together we will do a better job in R&D," he said.

Jamaludin said the results of the research will not be exclusive to Maxis alone. "It is to better improve the local telecommunications industry and we will be sharing the results," he said.

Members of the research team, Dr Lee Sze Wei and Chang Yoong Choon from MMU and Prof P. Raveendran from UM are happy that their subjects were chosen as pioneers for the grants. "With the grants, we will be able to conduct more studies and even develop new areas of study," said Raveendran.

Maxis' Industry Development Programme is in its first phase and the telco plans to make it an ongoing initiative. It is now in talks with other institutes of higher learning to begin phase two of the initiative. Jamaludin said the grants in phase two would be slightly higher, but declined to disclose the total amount. -theStar

Samsung launched Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) phone (model: SGH-P200) in Italian market. It is the world's first commercial mobile phone to which UMA technology is applied.

UMA is a next-generation fixed-mobile convergence technology standard which allows for seamless handover between cellular networks and fixed IP networks (hot spots). Handsets with UMA technology allow free voice and data communication both in mobile and fixed modes.

Samsung's UMA Phone (P200) allow free switching between cellular networks such as GSM, GPRS, EDGE and wireless LAN networks (WiFi), offering seamless connectivity.

For instance, with the UMA phone, high-speed large-capacity data communication or VoIP is possible though WiFi in places installed with hot spots such as at home and schools and in places without WiFi, the cellular network is used instead.

The P200 also comes in a sophisticated slide-up design as well as cutting-edge features including 1.3 mega pixel camera, a camcorder, multimedia messaging system (MMS), MP3 and file viewer functions.

"Samsung is proud to introduce the first Unlicensed Mobile Access phone into the market. We will continue to introduce innovative products and lead the next generation fixed-mobile convergence technology." said Kitae Lee, president of Samsung's Telecommunication Network Business.

The launch of Samsung's UMA phone will follow in other European countries soon.

Samsung's UMA Phone (SGH-P200) Specification

Standard		GSM / GRPS/EDGE UMA, WiFi (802.11 b/g)
Camera		1.3 Megapixel Camera with flash
Display		1.9" 176x220 262K Color TFT
Features		Video Playing (MPEG4 / H.263) Music Player (MP3 / AAC / ACC+) Pictbridge, USB Document Viewer
Memory		80MB embedded
Size		95 x 44 x 22.5 mm
Weight		95g

* Specifications are subject to change without notice.

JSC Ancort company and Mr. Peter Aloisson the world famous Austrian jeweler, the designer and the inventor of the luxury mobile phones have signed an agreement to start a project on the creation of a Diamond Crypto Smartphone. The cost of the luxurious Diamond Crypto Smartphone is USD 1.300.000.

The philosophic idea of the project is to attract the attention of the world community to the problem of the preservation of a person’s individuality and works in the contemporary man-caused world.

The civilization has reached astonishing success in its development. It is now possible to fly quickly from one part of the world to another, to speak on a mobile or satellite phone to practically any part of the planet, to order a film via Internet and at the same time to read practically any newspaper in the world sitting in the apartment. Two billion mobile phone subscribers have been registered in 2006. A mobile air with an astronomic volume of information has been formed. It is possible to know practically anything about a person speaking over a mobile phone from the analysis of his phone conversations.

We remember the oracular words from the first chapter of Gospel from Ioann: “First there was the Word and God had the Word”. What does it mean? God existed, God exists and God will exist. God does not change. So also our words shouldn’t be changed. A word is a materialized thought and idea, and no one can change a person’s words without his consent.

Jeweler's art, the most ancient science on Earth, materialized the idea of a person’s originality and individuality in the magnificent jewelry. Jewelers chose gold, platinum and diamonds for their masterpieces. These materials do not change as millenniums pass by. Out from the remote ages they bring us unique ideas of great masters.

Nokia and MobileOne (M1), one of the leading mobile and IDD service providers in Singapore, have entered into an agreement for the supply of the first High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) network in Singapore. With Nokia's support, M1 can offer high-quality network coverage and the very latest multimedia services to its mobile customers.

In addition to the HSPA supply, Nokia will expand M1's WCDMA 3G radio network coverage and upgrade M1's core network as well as provides a software upgrade. Also, included are network optimization and deployment services consisting of installation, commissioning, integration and acceptance testing of the network. The value of this agreement is USD 30 million.

"This award of Singapore's first HSPA contract to Nokia is an important milestone for M1. It reaffirms our commitment to offer our customers high quality mobile services that combine mobility with higher speed and wide area coverage for data intensive business and consumer applications," says Neil Montefiore, Chief Executive Officer of M1 "With HSPA, downloading of large files, multimedia and music on the move can be done at a fraction of the normal time required. It will certainly be seen as a technology that truly enhances our customers' mobile experience and greatly improves their quality of life."

"We are delighted to be selected as the preferred supplier of HSPA networks by M1. This win clearly confirms and demonstrates M1's confidence in Nokia to deliver high-quality cutting-edge technology to mobile operators and consumers," says Ricky Corker, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Networks, Nokia. "With Nokia, operators can bring a new class of services to market quickly, cost-effectively and with the highest network performance, this shows further proof of Nokia's strength in advanced radio network technologies."

Nokia is M1's sole core network and WCDMA 3G network supplier.

In WCDMA 3G, Nokia has 60 customers to date. Nokia's high-performing HSDPA is a simple software upgrade to Nokia WCDMA networks, thus enabling a fast, cost-effective rollout. Nokia HSDPA offers almost 10-times faster data services than current 3G networks, meaning an enhanced service experience. Nokia is a leader in the HSDPA market, with a large number of HSDPA contracts. Many network operators have already opened their HSDPA networks with the Nokia solution.

With more than one million units sold since it entered the charts in March 2006, the Nokia 3250 music phone is quickly earning a reputation as a must-have summer accessory - storing up to 750 songs (1 GB) of high quality music and sporting a 2 megapixel camera in a unique design.

"As the world's largest manufacturer of digital music players, Nokia continues to lead the way in making mobile music widely accessible," says Heikki Norta, Senior Vice President of Nokia's Lifestyle Products Group. "As we enter the summer holiday season, the Nokia 3250 is an ideal travel companion - it stores all your favourite songs, records fondest summer memories, and even has an off-line mode for those endless long-haul flights."

"S60 3rd Edition software introduces a new level of flexibility and security, enabling easy creation of devices and applications targeted to mass markets. The success of the Nokia 3250 clearly demonstrates that consumers value the extensibility that an S60 device offers," adds Norta.

The Nokia 3250 music phone began shipping in March 2006, reaching the milestone of one million units sold in less than four months.

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