Telefonica with ZTE launches Movistar Prime Android handset
Telefonica in partnership with ZTE has launched Movistar Prime Android handset. The device will be commercially available in 12 Latin American markets where Telefonica operates starting with the second quarter of this year.
Users will be able to access multiple types of applications and services, including email and office applications, as well as social networks, instant messaging, and GPS. Customers will be able to expand the capacity of the device by using the Telefonica pre-installed services, or by downloading new applications from the operator’s applications store.
The handset also features a 3.2 megapixel camera for photos and videos and multimedia player for all types of content (games, music, videos). The new model includes a 3.5 inch capacitive touch screen, high capacity processor, and multiple connectivity options (HSDPA, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth).
As a result of the agreement reached with ZTE, Telefonica has brought six Movistar brand handsets onto the Latin American market. Four new handsets are expected to be included in the Movistar portfolio over the next few months, in addition to the Movistar Prime model.
HP boasts of two new Palm phones
HP now boasts of a range of new devices from a mobile phone, the size of a credit card to a new tablet device. The company, which brought Palm, last year, also restored the Palm Pre with its 3G model.
The small Palm Veer is a 3G smartphone that comes with a 2.6-inch multi-touch screen supporting 320×400 resolutions. In addition to the touchscreen, it also comes with a slide-out physical QWERTY keyboard. The operating system is based on the HP webOS.
According to Jon Rubinstein, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Palm Global Business Unit, HP, while much of the industry is trending toward larger and larger devices, the company believes there’s also a whole lot of room for thinking small. Veer bridges the gap for a new generation of smartphone users, proving they really can have it all without sacrificing the size they want.
At just 54.5 mm x 84.0 mm x 15.1 mm and only 103 grams, Veer flaunts an 800-MHz processor; 8 GB of internal user storage; a browser with full access to the web, including support for Adobe Flash Player 10.1 beta; Wi-Fi; integrated GPS; messaging support; and multimedia options, including music, photos, video recording and playback, and a 5-megapixel camera.
The HP Veer smartphone is scheduled to be available in the early spring. The exact prices and availability will be announced at a later date.
Building on the Pre platform, the Palm Pre3 increases keyboard size and the display resolution, adds video stabilization, a 1.4-GHz Qualcomm processor, and a forward-facing camera for video calling.
The company also introduced a HP webOS based TouchPad, a long rumored tablet device.
Bite Lithuania commence sales of BlackBerry Curve 3G
Mobile operator Bite Lithuania has launched sales of the BlackBerry Curve 3G smartphone.
The smartphone features a QWERTY key-board, and supports HSDPA, GPS, and Wi-Fi. The smartphone is being offered to subscribers together with a special BlackBerry tariff, starting from LTL 1.
Virgin Mobile launches LG Optimus V (USA)
Virgin Mobile has launched the feature-rich LG Optimus V mobile phone which perfectly blends together interesting features and mesmerizing attributes.
Individuals can watch their most liked movies and videos on the vibrant 3.2-inch touchscreen display. Social buffs can enhance their mobile experience with various social apps like YouTube and Google Talk. The LG Optimus V also shows off social networking apps, Microsoft Outlook Exchange e-mail, advanced messaging capabilities and Swype technology.
According to Bob Stohrer, Vice President-Marketing, Virgin Mobile USA, more than 44% of smartphones purchased in the third quarter of 2010 was Android based with the iPhone coming in second. With LG Optimus V on Android, Virgin Mobile customers who crave constant connectivity get a highly functional device with a high-resolution 3.2 touch screen paired with an affordable monthly plan and no annual contract.
According to Tim O’Brien, Vice President of LG marketing, users get the best of both worlds with LG Optimus V. Bringing an easy-to-use blend of applications and sleek design, LG Optimus V delivers the features users want with the efficient performance capabilities they deserve.
Mobile buffs can benefit from the Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk plans which start at $25 per month for 300 minutes of voice and offer unlimited messaging, IM, email, social networking and web access. The $40 plan puts forth 1,200 minutes of voice whereas the $60 plan offers unlimited voice minutes each month.
The 3G and Wi-Fi capable device comes along with a 3.2MP camera, thereby enabling photo enthusiasts to capture crisp images. The phone is packed in Virgin Mobile’s new handset packaging that touts to be more eco-friendly. Owners can entertain themselves while on-the-go with interesting apps from the Android Market.
The LG Optimus V can be purchased from Radio Shack and the official website for $149.99. It is expected to be available via other retailers throughout this month.
SK Telecom Picks Top Partners to Build 4G LTE Network
SK Telecom today revealed the first step to commercialize LTE by announcing the selection of Samsung Electronics, LG-Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks as key equipment suppliers for its 4G LTE network. The company will begin providing commercial LTE services in Seoul by July this year and plans to expand the service to the Seoul metropolitan area and six other metropolitan cities by 2012. The service will become nationwide by 2013.
LTE is a next-generation data-only network that allows up to 75 Mbps downlink and 37.5 Mbps uplink speed – respectively, five times and seven times faster than that of WCDMA networks. LTE is also expected to bring a three-fold increase of data capacity compared to existing 3G networks.
Bae Joon-Dong, President and Head of Network CIC of SK Telecom, said: “We’re very excited with this major milestone. As we begin this journey in the evolution of our wireless network, we are delighted to partner with top LTE equipment suppliers to build our 4G network. Once we have full-pledged service, we expect huge market demand and a new wave of mobile innovation with higher quality multimedia contents and advanced smart devices.”
? Selects Samsung Electronics, LG-Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks as LTE equipment vendors
SK Telecom picked Samsung Electronics, LG-Ericsson and Nokia Siemens Networks as key equipment suppliers for its 4G LTE network – Samsung Electronics and LG-Ericsson will particularly supply switching equipment while all three companies will provide base station equipment. The company began benchmark quality tests of equipment in September 2010 and chose its partners based on price and compatibility with other suppliers.
SK Telecom plans to apply the multi-vendor interoperability technology in order to simultaneously use different vendors’ switching equipment and base station equipment to service one area. This will allow SK Telecom to select optimized equipment according to different network coverage levels, thus creating a higher quality LTE network.
? To introduce SCAN method to realize effective 4G coverage
SK Telecom will adopt its own Smart Cloud Access Network (SCAN) method to set up a truly effective and integrated LTE network. A base station largely consists of Digital Unit (DU) and Radio Unit (RU). With SK Telecom’s SCAN method, LTE network DUs will be stored together in one area, while Remote Radio Units (RRU) – along with the antenna – will be set up in various locations.
SCAN is a highly effective cloud-based network deployment method especially optimized for wireless communication as multiple RRUs can be installed according to varying network capacity needs of each area.
Furthermore, upon receiving approval from the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) to utilize the 800 MHz bandwidth for LTE service, SK Telecom plans to provide flawless LTE service underground and inside of buildings from beginning of deployment.
? To launch LTE smartphones, tablet PCs and data modems in 2011
SK Telecom will start offering data modems with plans to commercialize LTE network for the first time in Korea in July. Additional plans to launch diverse LTE devices including smartphones and tablet PCs by end of this year are underway.
LTE smartphones will use 3G network for voice service and LTE network for data service through DBDM (Dual Band Dual Mode) format. Until the company secures nationwide coverage for LTE, all the LTE devices will be launched in DBDM formats. In the areas where LTE coverage is not secured, SK Telecom will offer seamless data service through current WCDMA networks. The DBDM device strategy is also selected by diverse mobile operators that already commercialized LTE service.
? To boost network capacity in small areas by deploying 62,000 Wi-Fi zones and over 10,000 femtocells
SK Telecom plans to handle data traffic flawlessly in small areas by increasing the number of Wi-Fi zones to 62,000 this year and by deploying additional 45,000 Wi-Fi zones by the end of 2011, as well as expanding the 1,000 femtocells deployed last year to 10,000 femtocells. Also, SK telecom plans to offer femtocells that can handle voice and data traffic at the same time in small areas. Furthermore, the 6-sector solutions, which can double the capacity of current base stations, will be expanded to 500 base stations this year from 20 base stations beta-tested at the end of last year.
Proxama acquires Hypertag
Proxama, a developer of mobile contactless payments and near field communications (NFC) technology has acquired proximity marketing specialist Hypertag.
Proxama will retain the Hypertag brand in the deal as well as incorporating members of the Hypertag senior management team and key staff into the new set-up.
Neil Garner will hold overall responsibility for the group. Jonathan Morgan, currently Managing Director of Hypertag, will join Proxama with immediate effect and will be responsible for integrating the two businesses, providing continuity for existing Hypertag customers.
Hypertag will become a part of Proxama to focus on delivering proximity marketing campaigns for international brands such as Nokia, Ford, O2 and BP. It will now also be able to add NFC technology to its Bluetooth Marketing and Wi-Fi propositions.
Apple wins approval to sell 3G iPad in China
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has announced that Apple Inc. has won approval to sell its 3G iPad tablets in China.
The approval came four months earlier when Apple started selling iPad with Wi-Fi in China. China Unicorn will be providing the 3G data plans for the iPad 3G as it goes on for sale.
China is the world’s largest wireless market, the demand of Apple product is getting higher each day.
Apple has added new Apple retail stores in major cities of China and also launched a new Chinese Apple online store.
Vodafone UK to launch White BlackBerry Torch
Vodafone is planning to launch Blackberry’s latest handset on its network- The ‘White BlackBerry Torch’.
The device will be running on the BlackBerry 6 operating system, and features a 3.2-inch capacitive touch-screen with a resolution of 480 x 360 and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.
The BlackBerry Torch white measures 4.37 x 2.44 x 0.57 inches, and is also equipped with a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash, a 624MHz processor paired with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage, a microSD slot supporting cards up to 32GB, 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, GPS, and you will be able to enter the BlackBerry App World download store.
Chunghwa Telecom plans to double Wi-Fi coverage (Taiwan)
Taiwan’s largest telecoms operator, Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) has announced that it aims to double the number of Wi-Fi hotspots currently in operation, after witnessing better-than-expected progress in terms of infrastructure construction in 2010.
According to company spokesman Shih Mu-piao, two days back they observed that they had exceeded their goal. They are therefore planning to double the figure by the end of this year.
By the end of 2010 CHT had rolled out a total of 10,000 Wi-Fi hotspots, compared to an expected 6,000. As a result, the operator has targeted a total of 20,000 hotspots by end-2011. In addition, CHT will roll out 1,100 additional 3G base stations during 2011, taking its total to around 9,000.
Shih added that the company has planed its 2011 capital expenditure at US$171.2 million, which includes US$103.36 million set aside for the expansion of its 3G infrastructure.
