Nvidia launches the APX 2500

NVIDIA just introduced NVIDIA APX 2500, a breakthrough applications processor that enables intuitive 3D user interfaces and engaging high-definition video on connected Windows Mobile phones. The APX 2500 applications processor delivers an unprecedented 10 hours of 720p HD playback—an industry first for video quality and power consumption on a mobile device, as well as stunning HD camcorder and ultra-high-resolution photo imaging capabilities.

“This is the dawn of the second personal computer revolution,” said Jen-Hsun Huang, president and CEO of NVIDIA. “Technologies are converging in amazing mobile devices, that have all of the rich, visual capabilities of a modern PC—from watching movies and making video calls to surfing the web and playing 3D games. The APX 2500 combined with Microsoft Windows Mobile, will make the next generation of smartphones our most personal computer.”

NVIDIA has worked closely with Microsoft on the development of APX 2500, marking a significant milestone in a long-term relationship that has seen the companies share a passion for making interaction with technology more visual and instinctive across multiple platforms. The combined engineering efforts of the two companies will ensure that next generation versions of the Windows Mobile operating system will harness the capabilities of the APX 2500 applications processor across challenging multimedia use cases.

“Microsoft is dedicated to providing people true mobile freedom, so that they only need to carry one device for both communication and entertainment,” said Todd Warren, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s mobile communication business. “We are delighted to work with NVIDIA to offer our users an amazing visual experience on the next-generation Windows Mobile phones.”

The NVIDIA APX 2500 applications processor, which is the culmination of 800 man years of engineering, delivers:

• The industry’s first HD (720p) playback and capture capability for handheld devices.
• A new ultra-low-power (ULP) GeForce core that is fully OpenGL ES 2.0 and Microsoft Direct3D Mobile compliant and the lowest power 3D hardware solution available for acceleration of intuitive 3D user interfaces.
• NVIDIA nPower technology, enabling over 10 hours of high-definition video playback and up to 100 hours of audio—more than four times the audio playback of the latest touch-screen phones.
• The connectivity and media acceleration technologies required to enable the latest Web 2.0 applications, from effortless web browsing and social networking to GPS and mapping applications.

The NVIDIA APX 2500 applications processor is sampling today with key customers and will enter into full production by the end of Q2 2008.

3 makes a Skype Phone

The 3 Skypephone is a fully-featured 3G Internet phone with Skype built-in. In addition to Skype calls the phone makes conventional calls and can be used to access 3’s broad range of other internet services.

3 customers using the 3 Skypephone will be able to make Skype calls and send instant messages on the move with the push of a button. This is the first time an operator has offered a mass market device which is tailor-made for free calling over the internet from a mobile. Now, all of Skype’s 246 million registered can be reached for free with the 3 Skypephone.

According to Michael van Swaaij, acting CEO at Skype, “Skype is now truly mobile. This new handset is incredibly easy to use and lets you make free mobile Skype calls when you are on the move to other Skype users all over the world no matter where they are. It couldn’t be simpler – put Skype in your pocket and make free Skype mobile calls and send free Skype instant messages at the touch of a single Skype button.”

Michael van Swaaij added, “Skype began by offering free PC to PC calling and now we’re doing the same with mobile calls with 3. Thanks to 3, Skype has now taken a giant step forward in the mobile arena. It takes an innovative operator like 3 to challenge traditional thinking and offer the kind of product other operators are still shying away from.”

Kevin Russell, Chief Executive Officer, 3 UK, said, “3 wants to make the mobile internet available to everyone. To do this, we believe that services need to be simple to access and affordable. Communication is the prime function of the mobile today. Skype is the leader in internet communications. To enable Skype to go mobile in this way brings free internet calls together with an affordable 3G handset. Mobile has the potential to massively increase access to internet calling.”

The handset was developed by Skype and 3 in partnership with Qualcomm, using Qualcomm’s BREW platform to enable Skype to work with core handset features such as address book and messaging.

The 3 Skypephone will be available this year in the UK, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Macau and Sweden. Skype to Skype calls will always be free from your 3 Skypephone as long as you are on contract or your PAYG 3 credit is topped up monthly. In the UK, the 3 Skypephone is £49.99 on a PAYG tariff or free on a contract. **

The 3 Skypephone is available from 2 November in 3Stores across the UK and from Skype and 3’s websites in time for Christmas. The 3 Skypephone is available for pre-order in the UK from today. Anyone who doesn’t already use Skype can create a Skype account by going to www.skype.com and downloading the free software onto their computer. Alternatively they can create a Skype account directly from their 3 Skypephone.

* Fair use policy & terms apply. See the 3 website in each country for local prices and conditions *Free calls are Skype to Skype calls and Skype instant messages from the 3 network (in some countries this is also available when roaming on a 3 sister network).

With 3G, a 2-megapixel camera, mp3 player, mobile TV and internet, 3 Skypephone keeps you occupied even when you run out of things to say. Plus, it’s small and shiny, and comes in black or white, with blue or pink trim. 3 Skypephone also includes:

o Fully integrated Skype functionality with contacts, call logs and presence. o Access to Java and 3D games and two preloaded games o 2.0 Megapixel camera o Internet browsing o Bluetooth o Weight: 86g o Size: 100 x 44 x 13.6mm o Battery Standby: 320 Hours o Battery Talk Time: 270 Minutes o Battery Video Talk Time: 170 Minutes o Screen Size: 2.0” QCIF (176 x 220) o Colour: 262K o Internal Memory: 16MB o External Memory: expandable to 1GB microSD

Handset includes:

o Battery 1150mAh o Battery cover (magnetic) o Personal stereo hands free kit o USB cable o Mains charger o CD–ROM for PC connection o 256MB micro SD memory card (no adapter) o 3 user guide o Quick start guide for Skype

Musicphone from Sony Ericsson its the W980

The Sony Ericsson W980 brings an unrivalled music experience that gives you every excuse to lose yourself in acoustic bliss

Sony Ericsson just revealed the W980, a Walkman phone that promises to get the most out of your music. Its unique audio enhancing technology, together with the Walkman on Top design, sees the W980 cement Sony Ericsson’s position as a true market leader in the world of music on your mobile.

“The W980 Walkman phone really sets a new standard for music on your phone,” said Ben Padley, Head of Music Marketing, at Sony Ericsson. “We wanted to design a leading music player that we could combine with a feature-packed phone, all the while pioneering an audio experience that always left you wanting more. The W980 will surpass all expectations.”

W980 Walkman phone Created with music in mind

• Clear audio experience
Superior sound quality lets you enjoy your music as it was meant to be heard
• Walkman on Top
Intuitive music access and control,
• Storage solutions
8GB internal memory lets you store up to 8,000 songs*

Be true to the original recording
The W980 Walkman phone is designed to allow you to listen to music as it should be heard. Clear stereo enables the music to sound like the original recording. Clear bass delivers distortion free sound even at higher volumes. These features combine with the premium headphones, the Stereo Portable Handsfree HPM-77, to deliver an incredible clear audio experience and music that sounds as true as possible to the original recording

Share your music with friends
The W980 Walkman phone has a built-in FM transmitter, which allows you to send whatever’s playing on your phone to other devices with a built-in FM radio receiver. This gives you the ability to share your music with all those around you, whether through a friend’s hi-fi or your car stereo.
Quality music is made for sharing with the W980. Unplug your headset, sit back and let the music flow through the integrated stereo speakers for all to enjoy. Select a track from the extensive music library – the W980 lets you store up to 8000 songs* – or tune in to your favourite radio station and listen out loud. No need to plug in an FM Receiver, since this is on-board with the W980.

Build your collection every day
With the recent evolution of PlayNow arena, Sony Ericsson’s popular over-the-air (OTA) and web download service being launched this May, you will be able to access up to 5 million tracks to maximise your music collection. The W980’s TrackID feature, which can identify any track that you just can’t put a name to, will be fully integrated into PlayNow arena. This makes the W980 a genuine gateway to great music, as you can download the track instantly once it has been identified.

Customise your sound
You can tailor the W980’s Walkman player to the music that you’re listening to. This latest Walkman phone provides a choice of eight equaliser presets, each of which contains a distinct profile that is suitable to a range of music. So whether you’re listening to jazz, pop or heavy metal, you’ve can always choose the best sound for the song.

Control your music at your fingertips
The Walkman on Top feature on the W980 gives you the full functionality of a Walkman player without even having to open your phone. The entire Walkman player that would normally be displayed on the inside of your clamshell is also replicated on the outside of the phone, so navigation through your music library is effortless.

Balance and beat
Every music enthusiast knows that a great audio experience requires great quality speakers or headphones. The W980 Walkman phone comes with the new Stereo Portable Handsfree HPM-77; a headset that lets you enjoy music in powerful stereo sound. The HPM-77 also allows users to take their calls handsfree, and its sleek design and in-ear wearing-style mean that it’s both comfortable and reduces background noise to the bare minimum.

Whether listening via the headphones or the stereo speakers, the W980 Walkman phone is a must-have for those who want an unrivalled music experience, which they carry with them every minute of the day. It is a UMTS/HSDPA 2100 GSM/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 phone that will be available in selected markets from Q3 2008.

The Stereo Portable Handsfree HPM-77 will be available in selected markets from June 2008.

Sony will simplify your life with new phones

The new G700 and G900 phones are designed to give back time. They place personal organiser features and easy finger-touch control within familiar form factors.

Sony Ericsson just launched a new generation of phone: Touchscreen organisers with a broad appeal. The G700 and G900 phones are essential tools designed to organise the lives of all those with busy schedules to juggle, both at home and at work.

• The G700 is here to help you live your life to the full. This personal organiser in-your-pocket keeps your contacts, calendars, notes, pictures and favourite Web sites all in one place and just a fingertip away. Touch and go.

• The G900 has all the functions of the G700 with the added features of a unique new 5.0 megapixel Touch Auto Focus camera, touch photo album and editor. Perfect for those looking for a one-touch media experience combined with their organiser.

“Sony Ericsson is delivering touchscreen and innovative organiser capabilities to a wide audience without compromising on the size or shape of the phone. Both the G700 and G900 have regular keyboards and are no larger than a regular phone.” says Martin Winkler, Director Global Marketing and Head of Multimedia Web at Sony Ericsson. “These phones are ideal for users that are only interested in making their lives simpler. It’s not about technology for the sake of it.”

Sony Ericsson G700  phone

• One-touch full organiser functions
• Touch controlled Notes application - write and draw your memo’s
• Large 2.4″ display with unique single touch control menu
• 3,2 megapixel camera
• Compact size

Calendar is King
Access your calendar, reach family and friends and scribble and save your notes on your phone. With the G700, you can jot down a note on the screen with a stylus, just as you would with a pen on paper, and save it on your phone’s desktop to remind you - just as you’d stick a note on the fridge. You can even draw a map to the local shop or doodle personal notes to send them to your loved ones! Holding everything that is important to you wherever you go, the G700 is the most natural way to manage life. There’s no longer a need to have your home calendar separate from work – it works with you, the way you do.

Intuitively simple
With the G700 you can enjoy touchscreen text input, Web surfing, calendar and phone navigation. Want to contact someone at home? Just touch the relevant name in your phonebook and all of the various contact options will appear onscreen.  It’s instantly intuitive messaging. You can even browse your photo album using the tip of your finger. The G700 also has dedicated keys for messaging, notes and a key lock on the side of the phone. All it takes is one press to unlock.

Sony Ericsson G900  phone

• One touch media experience
• 5.0 megapixel camera with touch Auto focus and Multi-shot function
• One- touch media and organiser menu
• Large 2.4″ display with single touch control menu
• Wi-Fi™ for high speed data transfer and internet browsing

Print-quality photos to keep
The G900’s 5.0 megapixel camera lets you take print-quality photos and share them with friends and family straight away.

Frame your shot and decide where you want to focus the camera by simply touching the screen. Also, with Camera Multi-Shot, hold down the camera key and take as many pictures as you like. Great for taking photos of your kids as they dash around the garden! Scroll through all of the photos on your phone with touch control and even edit them there with the Touch photo album and editor.

Stay mobile
Got a moment to surf? Access your favourite Web pages when you’re in a Wi-Fi™ hotspot and view them on the large 2.4” display. Use the stylus or your finger to zoom-in or pan around the page. When you’ve barely got a moment to spare, get RSS feeds direct to your phone for the latest updates; news, football scores or whatever you are in to. 

Organize with a personal touch
Touch, type or write… Everything comes naturally with the G900.  Organise your schedule, touch and tap to make calls and jot down notes before you forget it. The G900 works your way to let you get more into your day.  It’s the power of personal touch.

The G700 will launch in Silk Bronze and the G900 will launch in Dark Red and Dark Brown. Both are UMTS 2100 and GSM/GPRS 900/1800/1900 phones that will be available in selected markets from Q2 2008.

TomTom makes 1 million improvements

TomTom Map Share hits one million map improvement upload

TomTom just announced that the TomTom Map Share has received the one millionth map improvement from its users since the launch of the service in July 2007. Over half a million Map Share users have joined the Map Share community since it became available.

TomTom Map Share ensures that drivers always have the most accurate and up to date maps available in the industry. TomTom Map Share is a proprietary map improvement technology unique to TomTom and it is available in 30 countries spread over 5 continents.
 
“We are very pleased to see that the TomTom Map Share service is used so intensely by our user community,” said Harold Goddijn, CEO of TomTom. “Road networks change every day and often unexpectedly. Previously, navigation providers couldn’t offer maps that were current enough to meet users needs. Now users can easily and instantly improve their own maps directly on their device. And more importantly, our users can receive all the improvements made by others and thereby benefit from all their local road knowledge every day for free. The more often users connect their device to TomTom HOME, the more up-to-date their maps will be. TomTom is the only navigation solutions provider offering customers this unique and effective solution.”

Out of the one million uploaded map improvements, about two-thirds can be fixed instantly. The remainder is forwarded to the TomTom development team - who are working on fixing more and more types of errors - or can be forwarded to the map provider for further study.

TomTom has the world’s largest satellite navigation community with over 15 million members. Via TomTom HOME, TomTom Map Share users can receive all map improvements made by this significant community, so their maps are as dynamic as the world they live in.

With TomTom Map Share, users can:

• improve their maps when they spot road changes with just a few touches on the screen of their device
• share and receive all map improvements by connecting the device to TomTom HOME
• keep their data current by regularly connecting to TomTom HOME
• have the most up-to-date maps available in the industry at all times.

TomTom Map Share is offered for free with the TomTom GO x20 (T), TomTom ONE XL (T)* product ranges and the TomTom ONE 3rd EDITION. TomTom GO x10 series, TomTom GO 700, TomTom GO 500, TomTom ONE XL and TomTom ONE 1st and 2nd EDITION devices are also compatible with TomTom’s latest software.

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